In Brief

Changed CDAG information

Please note that the following information from the Collection Development
Advisory Group roster, published in the January-February issues of Braille Book Review and Talking Book Topics, has changed. The new e-mail address of Southern Region representative Chet Avery is cs.avery@comcast.net.

Odyssey magazine replaces Teen People

The magazine Teen People ceased publication in September 2006. NLS replaced
Teen People with Teen Newsweek for one month, but found its format inappropriate
for the intended audience. NLS has now replaced Teen Newsweek with Odyssey,
a science and space exploration magazine for readers ages ten to sixteen.

Flash, November 2006, volume 2, issue 12

The following information is reprinted from NLS Flash, November 2006,
a newsletter created to bring current information on NLS progress in digital
technology to patrons, library staff, and other interested individuals.

Patrons download digital talking books for first time

Users confirm that DTB design is on target

The pilot for downloadable digital talking books (DTBs) officially launched
October 13. In fact, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, recently received its first set of
patron surveys from the pilot, and initial feedback was positive.

"Until now, our usability tests have primarily focused on the digital player.
The current pilot is different in that its emphasis is on testing actual digital
books. For the first time, patrons are experiencing the books for themselves
and we are excited to see the critical comments they’ve provided, most
of which have been positive," said Frank Kurt Cylke, NLS director.

This is good news as NLS seeks to gauge the functionality of the books and
make necessary refinements prior to formal launch of the digital program
in 2008. The download pilot is the first opportunity patrons have had to
assess DTBs at home. Their comments on usability will impact the presentation
of digital materials in the future. The pilot will run until the full-scale
download program begins in 2007.

The pilot’s primary goal is to assess such aspects of the usability of
digital talking books as the number and placement of navigational markers, audio
quality, and the overall reading experience. NLS staff have used their best judgment
in making decisions regarding the number and placement of navigational markers,
and used scientific analysis in deciding the type of compressed audio used. NLS
is now looking to patrons to validate the results. The largest pilot test to
date, it includes one hundred patrons from across the country. They were selected
based on their interest in the project and their technical expertise.

Patrons are currently reviewing a collection of 1,800 books and 12 magazine titles.
Download offerings reflect the full NLS collection, comprising approximately
55 percent fiction and 45 percent nonfiction titles. Only titles that were originally
recorded in digital audio are included in order to maximize the usefulness of
test data. Books initially distributed on cassettes in analog format and converted
to digital will eventually be part of the full collection, but they were excluded
from the pilot because they do not take full advantage of the DTB navigational
potentialities.

The collection has been expanded to include additional titles, such as foreign-language
and children’s books. Participants may also make suggestions as to which
titles are added. If the book already exists in digital format, it will be considered
for immediate inclusion. If the title is not currently digital, it will be forwarded
to the Collection Development Section for consideration.

How it works

In designing the download system, NLS wanted to ensure that the technology
would not interfere with the reading experience itself, so the download process
is fairly straightforward and user-friendly. Using their own high-speed Internet
connections, participants download their desired titles from a special web
site to their computers. From there, the titles are transferred onto commercial
flash cards provided by NLS, which are then inserted into the digital talking-book
players and read. As NLS’s digital talking-book machine will not be ready
until 2008, participants are using a commercially available player, on loan
for the purpose of the pilot, that has been modified to read NLS digital books.

The web site’s main page contains a list of links to the books, magazines,
and surveys. Patrons may search books by author, title, subject, or date with
recently added books noted at the top. Magazines may be searched according to
title and issue date.

According to research and development officer Neil Bernstein—who is overseeing
the download pilot with automation officer Michael Martys, digital contracts
coordinator Alice Baker, and chief engineer Michael Katzmann—the web site
has been getting great reviews from patrons. Participants appreciate the accessibility
and efficiency it brings their reading.

Results are in

The pilot’s success hinges on patron comments. In order to capture
as many comments as possible, it is necessary that patrons submit surveys for
each book and magazine they read. Surveys contain about ten questions each
and exist in different versions for books and magazines. Survey questions focus
on title selection; ease, rate, and usefulness of navigation; and ease of downloading
and transferring the title to flash cards.

Participating patrons are required to read at least one title per month. They
must complete one survey before downloading another title.

The first batch of patron surveys reveals positive impressions. Most readers
reported selecting books based on subjects of interest. Seventy percent reported
no problems downloading the book or transferring it to the player. As for the
DTB’s navigation features, 72 percent of participants favored the number
of navigation points, and 77 percent were satisfied they could navigate easily
everywhere they pleased. More than 86 percent of users found the ability to navigate
useful.

Magazine readers expressed similar sentiments. The majority of magazine-reading
patrons (83 percent) had no problem downloading or transferring their selection
to a card and 43 percent chose the magazine because they liked its topic. Additionally,
62 percent thought the magazine offered the right number of navigation points,
and 73 percent considered navigation easy.

The increased navigation features offered by magazines are a big draw for
patrons. One patron commented, "I’ve only read one magazine so far—October
issue of Money—and its navigation offerings are fantastic! . . . If all
the magazines are like this, I am going to become even more of a magazine junkie
than I’ve always been!"

"These results appear to confirm that we are approaching the download
in an appropriate manner, that development is on the right path," notes
Bernstein. "Only
when you put this technology into patrons’ hands do you really understand
how well or poorly it functions."

Open forum

In addition to surveys, patrons also share their comments on a specially
created message board. The board offers participants an open forum for sharing
with each other feedback, questions, criticisms, and suggestions about the
DTBs and the download experience. It is also NLS’s primary vehicle for
communicating with participants.

The message board has proven quite popular among participants. Patrons posted
more than nine hundred messages in the first two months of the project. Postings
have covered a range of topics, including audio quality, the flash card, navigation
features, web-site design, player functionality, bookmarks, and book requests.

Pilot participants have been impressed with the audio quality. One hearing-impaired
patron praised the crisp, clear audio quality, commenting that it is a true gift
to users.

Patrons are finding that navigation makes digital talking books much more useful
and enjoyable to read; the ability to jump between book sections facilitates
preferred reading styles. "The last nonfiction book I read from this pilot
worked great with skipping. It really let me skip forward and back and finish
a book, learning what I needed to know, in a fraction of its real time," commented
a user. "Looking forward to accessing more and more books with good navigation."

Digital Talking Book (DTB) Milestones

Completed

Defined and prioritized DTB features

Coordinated development and publication of Specifications for
the Digital Talking Book (ANSI/NISO Z39.86)

Simulated a DTB player using personal computer

Developed a computer-based, life-cycle cost analysis (LCC) model
for the NLS system and for candidate digital systems

Developed computer software for DTB production and presentation

Developed software to test conformance of players and DTBs with
the ANSI/NISO standard

User survey

Player transition study

Distribution flash-cartridge study

Player and flash-cartridge design contract awarded

Distribution-system design contract awarded

Distribution-system design contract Phase I, II

Preliminary design review

Player and flash-cartridge developed

Designed DTB containers and labels

Web-Magazine pilot concluded

Web-Book pilot launched

Start 1/12/04—Finish 10/1/08

The following ongoing projects, set to conclude in 2008, are shown with start dates in parentheses.

The Best American Essays 2004 RC 59431
edited by Louis Menand
read by Don Hagen
3 cassettes
Twenty-two essays recalling the past. In "America, Look at Your Shame!" James
Agee recalls his own experience with racism in 1943. Wayne Koestenbaum revisits
his literary coming of age in "My '80s." Kathryn Chetkovich recounts
her lover's professional jealousy in "Envy." Some strong language.
2004.

Total Immersion: The Revolutionary Way to Swim Better, Faster, and Easier
RC 59654by Terry Laughlin
read by Derald Breneman
2 cassettes
Coach and editor of Fitness Swimmer describes techniques for becoming a more
efficient swimmer. Covers training, racing, balance, and moves to learn for
fishlike motion through the water. Includes drills, tips, and dry land exercises
for strength, suppleness, and slimming. Revised edition. 2004.

American Evita: Hillary Clinton's Path to Power RC 59657
by Christopher Andersen
read by Conrad Feininger
2 cassettes
Journalist Andersen, of Bill and Hillary: The Marriage (RC 48856), argues that
Bill Clinton and his wife, New York senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, are engaged
in a long-term plan to win the presidency for Mrs. Clinton and a Supreme Court
position for the former chief executive. Strong language. 2004.

The R.A.T. (Real-World Aptitude Test): Preparing Yourself for Leaving Home
RC 59861
by Homer E. Moyer Jr.
read by Ray Childs
3 cassettes
The Real-World Aptitude Test, for young people preparing to live independently,
provides questions, answers, and helpful hints on practical knowledge and survival
skills. Topics include sex, drugs, etiquette, budget, employment, nutrition,
cooking, and emergencies, among others. For senior high and older readers.
2003.

Bright Boulevards, Bold Dreams: The Story of Black Hollywood RC 59992
by Donald Bogle
read by Ray Hagen
3 cassettes
Author of Dorothy Dandridge (RC 46289) chronicles social roles of African American
actors in the first half of the twentieth century. Outlines the migration of
blacks to California and the lives of such movie stars as Lena Horne, Sammy
Davis Jr., Hattie McDaniel, and Stepin Fetchit. Some strong language. 2005.

The Billion Dollar BET: Robert Johnson and the Inside Story of Black
Entertainment Television RC 60023
by Brett Pulley
read by Chuck Young
2 cassettes
Forbes magazine senior editor traces the rise of the world's first African
American billionaire, Robert Johnson, founder and chief executive of the Black
Entertainment Television (BET) cable network. Describes Johnson's humble background
and success in turning a $15,000 bank loan into a billion-dollar media empire.
Some strong language. 2004.

Exuberance: The Passion for Life RC 60260
by Kay Redfield Jamison
read by Susan McInerney
2 cassettes
Psychiatry professor explores exuberance and its fueling of creative and scientific
achievement, citing John Muir's passion for the environment, Wilson Bentley's
obsession with snowflakes, and Watson and Crick's discovery of DNA. Discusses
hereditary factors, this emotion's influence on human survival, and the dangers
of seeking exuberance through drugs. 2004.

Searching for the Sound: My Life with the Grateful Dead RC
60265
by Phil Lesh
read by John Lescault
3 cassettes
Bassist for the Grateful Dead, who joined the band in 1965, details the evolution
of the group led by Jerry Garcia. Describes the concert tours, fanatic Dead
Head fans, and the financial and drug problems that plagued the musicians.
Some strong language. Bestseller. 2005.

Ogden Nash: The Life and Work of America's Laureate of Light Verse RC
60527
by Douglas M. Parker
read by Dan Bloom
3 cassettes
An authorized biography of the urbane and witty American poet Ogden Nash (1902-1971)
based on his published and unpublished writings and interviews with his two
daughters. Discusses Nash's work at the New Yorker, his unique humorous perspective
on family life, and his attempts at careers beyond poetry. 2005.

American Judaism: A History RC 60567
by Jonathan D. Sarna
read by Bill Wallace
4 cassettes
Brandeis University professor details 350 years of Judaism in the United States.
Sarna portrays American Jews as a people struggling to be both Jewish and American.
Addresses their concerns about assimilation, issues of religious adaptation
and continuity, and influences from and contributions to a diverse and pluralistic
society. 2004.

Miss Manners' Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior: Freshly Updated
RC 60597
by Judith Martin
read by Margaret Strom
7 cassettes in 2 containers
Miss Manners provides her "gentle readers" a guide to gracious living
in the twenty-first century. In addition to etiquette for traditional matters
such as introductions, dining, weddings, divorce, death, and dress, she also
covers decorum for modern issues including breast feeding, e-mails, cell phones,
answering machines, and the Internet. 2005.

Seasons in Basilicata: A Year in a Southern Italian Hill Village RC
60617
by David Yeadon
read by David Cutler
3 cassettes
Describes the seasonal delights and ancient traditions an English-speaking
couple enjoys while living in rural Italy. Inspired by Carlo Levi's Christ
Stopped at Eboli (RC 39274), they settle in the region, discover the pagan
streak Levi wrote about, and experience culinary and scenic pleasures. 2004.

I'm Just Here for the Food: Food + Heat = Cooking RC
60619
by Alton Brown
read by Dan Willems
2 cassettes
Host of Food Network's "Good Eats" offers a manual on "how to
control the process known as cooking." The book is arranged according
to techniques—searing, frying, braising, boiling, and microwaving—with each
lesson featuring a master recipe to demonstrate the method. James Beard Foundation
Award. 2002.

Letter from America, 1946-2004 RC 60633
by Alistair Cooke
read by Peter Gil
4 cassettes
Selected commentaries from among the nearly three thousand written and broadcast
by the British-born journalist during his six-decade career in New York City.
Cooke's observations about American political and social customs include his
encounters with many presidents, friendships with renowned artists, and accounts
of landmark events. 2004.

Talking Back—to Presidents, Dictators, and Assorted Scoundrels RC
60675
by Andrea Mitchell
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
Autobiography by veteran NBC political correspondent who was one of the first
women in broadcast news. Describes the three decades she spent covering U.S.
presidents, foreign heads of state, and wars. Also portrays her social life
as the wife of Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan. 2005.

The Leading Men of MGM RC 60817
by Jane Ellen Wayne
read by Mitzi Friedlander
4 cassettes
In this companion to The Golden Girls of MGM (RC 56320), the author writes
about legendary actors who were under contract to Louis B. Mayer's Hollywood
studio. Reveals personal information regarding the affairs and vices of Clark
Gable, Peter Lawford, Robert Taylor, and others. Includes filmographies. Strong
language. 2004.

How the North Won: A Military History of the Civil War RC
60825
by Herman Hattaway and Archer Jones
read by Robert Sams
7 cassettes in 2 containers
Provides a military account of the Civil War "from the viewpoint of the
higher commanders on both sides." Emphasizes the war's management and
planning rather than specific battles and posits that guerrilla raids and defense
won the conflict. The authors offer revisionist theories of Lincoln, Lee, and
Grant. 1983.

Napoleon: A Political Life RC 60869
by Steven Englund
read by Anne Flosnik
5 cassettes
French historian highlights the political rather than the military or personal
leadership of French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821). Charts Napoleon's
rise and fall from his Corsican boyhood to his political achievements and final
exile. Analyzes Napoleon's ideologies and influences, including the French
Revolution. 2004.

American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer RC
61087
by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin
read by Steven Carpenter
5 cassettes
Biography of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer (1904-1967)—"the father of
the atomic bomb." Chronicles his New York City upbringing, marriage to
Kitty Puening, work on the Manhattan Project, and life after the 1954 Atomic
Energy Commission hearings which denied Oppenheimer his security clearance
for questioning the ethics of nuclear weapons. 2005.

Flying Blind RC 61092
by Michael A. Smerconish
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Journalist criticizes airline security procedures established by the U.S. Department
of Transportation and the Transportation Security Administration. Contends
that random screening—which avoids racial or ethnic profiling, particularly
of Arab men—may be politically correct but actually jeopardizes the war on
terror and passenger safety. Foreword by Senator Arlen Specter. 2004.

Voltaire in Exile: The Last Years, 1753-78 RC
61093
by Ian Davidson
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
Portrait of eighteenth-century French playwright, poet, historian, and philosopher
who in 1753 was banished by Louis XV to Geneva. References Voltaire's personal
correspondence to detail the twenty-five-year isolation during which he developed
ideas of equality and human rights, campaigned against injustice, and penned
his satirical masterpiece Candide (RC 31736). 2004.

One Woman's Army: The Commanding General of Abu Ghraib Tells Her Story
RC 61151
by Janis Karpinski
read by Bernadette Dunne
2 cassettes
General Janis Karpinski, commander of the U.S. military prison in Iraq, provides
her personal account of the corruption and failures in the chain of command
that permitted prisoner abuse to occur. Discusses her inexperience in running
a prison, lack of disciplined guards, and use of private firms. Violence and
strong language. 2005.

Bait and Switch: The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream RC
61157by Barbara Ehrenreich
read by Barbara Pinolini
2 cassettes
The author who explored blue-collar work in Nickel and Dimed (RC 52291) investigates
the plight of unemployed and underemployed white-collar workers. Ehrenreich
poses as an educated and experienced person and still suffers job rejection
in the corporate world although she says she "did everything right." Bestseller.
2005.

Symptoms of Withdrawal: A Memoir of Snapshots and Redemption RC
61158
by Christopher Kennedy Lawford
read by Michael Russotto
3 cassettes
Lawford recounts his life as the son of Patricia Kennedy and movie actor Peter
Lawford. Describes experiences with drugs, alcohol, and debauchery followed
by twenty years of sobriety. Details his own acting career and relates competitiveness
with his Kennedy cousins. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of
sex. Bestseller. 2005.

Yankee Magazine Vinegar, Duct Tape, Milk Jugs, and More: 1,001 Ingenious Ways
to Use Common Household Items to Repair, Restore, Revive, or Replace Just About
Everything in Your Life RC 61173
by Earl Proulx
read by Erik Synnestvedt
3 cassettes
Handyman columnist's ideas for saving time, money, and waste. Tips include
using vinegar to clear clogged showerheads, hair spray to end static cling,
olive oil to clean grease off hands, and more. 1999.

The South Beach Diet Quick and Easy Cookbook: Two Hundred Delicious Recipes
Ready in Thirty Minutes or Less RC 61176
by Arthur Agatston
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
Fast cookery for dieters recommended by the Florida cardiologist and author
of The South Beach Diet (RC 56409). Includes healthy appetizers, main courses,
and desserts that use a minimum number of ingredients and are easy to prepare.
2005.

Weird U.S.: Your Travel Guide to America's Local Legends and Best-Kept Secrets
RC 61177
by Mark Moran and Mark Sceurman
read by Steven Carpenter
3 cassettes
A collection of seemingly fantastic tales corroborated with actual events and
historical data whenever possible. Grouped not by geography but by broad topics
including ancient mysteries, unexplained phenomena, bizarre beasts, local heroes
and villains, ghosts, and cemeteries. Covers Emily's Bridge in Vermont and
the Winchester Mystery House in California. 2004.

Marriage, a History: From Obedience to Intimacy; or, How Love Conquered Marriage
RC 61178
by Stephanie Coontz
read by Michele Schaeffer
3 cassettes
Traces the evolution of marriage from being an economic institution with rigid
rules to the modern Western concept of a union based on love and flexibility.
Discusses various social crises through the ages that were precipitated by
changes in marriage customs and expectations. 2005.

The New New Journalism: Conversations with America's Best Nonfiction Writers
on Their Craft RC 61180
by Robert S. Boynton
read by Steven Carpenter
3 cassettes
Professor interviews nineteen writers representing "the continued maturation
of American literary journalism"—a "new new" style distinct
from the traditions of predecessors from Stephen Crane to Tom Wolfe. Eric Schlosser,
Gay Talese, Calvin Trillin, and others reflect on their careers and creative
process: finding inspiration, researching, writing, rewriting, and publishing.
2005.

The Religious History of America RC 61181
by Edwin S. Gaustad and Leigh E. Schmidt
read by Michael Scherer
4 cassettes
Two professors of religion discuss the cultural, political, and economic influences
that helped shape religion in America throughout its history. Topics include
the Puritans in New England, separation of church and state, slavery, the growth
of the church in the twentieth century, and war's effects on religion. 2002.

Herding Cats: A Life in Politics RC 61184
by Trent Lott
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Republican senator from Mississippi recalls growing up the son of a sharecropper,
attending "Ole Miss" when it became integrated, and succeeding his
mentor, Democrat William Colmer, to the House of Representatives in 1972. Highlights
his career in both the House and Senate. 2005.

American Heroines: The Spirited Women Who Shaped Our Country RC
61187
by Kay Bailey Hutchison
read by Faith Potts
3 cassettes
First female to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate presents pioneering women
in American history. Profiles Clara Barton, Mary Cassatt, Amelia Earhart, Margaret
Chase Smith, and others. Also includes interviews with contemporary women,
such as astronaut Sally Ride, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, and
journalist Barbara Walters. 2004.

The Great Arc: The Dramatic Tale of How India Was Mapped and Everest Was Named
61208
by John Keay
read by Jeremy Gage
2 cassettes
History of the arduous and technically difficult nineteenth-century scientific
expedition to survey the 1,600-mile length of India and establish its longitude,
latitude, and height above sea level. Discusses the roles and personalities
of William Lambton, who conceived the idea, and of George Everest, who completed
it. 2000.

The Pontiff in Winter: Triumph and Conflict in the Reign of John Paul II
RC 61224
by John Cornwell
read by George Holmes
3 cassettes
Cambridge scholar and author of Hitler's Pope (RC 49241) analyzes the long
reign of Pope John Paul II, the former Karol Wojtyla. Discusses the pope's
accomplishments and his views on controversial issues including birth control
and abuses by the clergy. Criticizes the centralization of papal power. 2004.

A Bevy of Beasts RC 61226
by Gerald Durrell
read by Steven Crossley
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Author recounts with characteristic wit his early years as student keeper at
England's Whipsnade Zoo, one of the country's first "open" exhibitions.
Describes humorous experiences with animals including a singing bear, a herd
of friendly yaks, and a gentle giraffe whose best friend is a goat. 1973.

The Global Soul: Jet Lag, Shopping Malls, and the Search for Home RC
61234
by Pico Iyer
read by Peter Ganim
3 cassettes
The author uses his own international background as a starting point for exploring
the multicultural phenomena of an increasingly mobile world. As he travels
to far-flung cities (including Atlanta for the Olympics), he reflects upon
others who commute between cultures and places, probing their psychological
makeup and sense of rootlessness. 2000.

Out of Eden: An Odyssey of Ecological Invasion RC 61253
by Alan Burdick
read by Dan Bloom
3 cassettes
Journalist investigates how human travel has accelerated the natural process
of species migration by inadvertently introducing exotic plants, animals, insects,
and diseases into foreign ecosystems. Burdick records his travels by land and
sea to hot spots of ecological invasion to assess the impact on native organisms
and biodiversity. National Book Award. 2005.

Education and Rehabilitation for Empowerment RC 61268
by C. Edwin Vaughan and James H. Omvig
read by Bob Moore
2 cassettes
The authors argue that the history of educational and rehabilitative services
for blind people has condoned dependency. Provides an overview of the U.S.
rehabilitation system during the twentieth century. Advocates for a positive
philosophy toward blindness that includes empowerment, mobility, communication,
and "blending in." 2005.

Yes, Your Parents Are Crazy! A Teen Survival Handbook RC 61269
by Michael J. Bradley
read by Erik Synnestvedt
3 cassettes
Psychologist and author of Yes, Your Teen Is Crazy! (RC 55891) offers teens
advice on dealing with family, school, and peer relationships. Author discusses
physical, emotional, and psychological concerns of young adults and includes
anecdotes from his practice. Foreword by Clay Aiken. For senior high and older
readers. 2004.

On Hitler's Mountain: Overcoming the Legacy of a Nazi Childhood RC 61273
by Irmgard A. Hunt
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
Memoir of a German native who grew up during World War II in a Bavarian village
near Adolf Hitler's alpine compound. Recalls meeting the dictator, losing her
soldier father, and joining the Hitler Youth. Explores her continuing struggle
to understand how she, her family, and others tolerated Nazi control. 2005.

A Thread across the Ocean: The Heroic Story of the Transatlantic Cable RC
61274
by John Steele Gordon
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
Chronicles efforts over twelve years to lay more than 2,000 miles of underwater
telegraph cable connecting Europe and America, a project seen through to completion
in 1866 by U.S. businessman and entrepreneur Cyrus Field. Examines the influences
of the Industrial Revolution and England's role in providing technical and
financial support. 2002.

Nelson's Trafalgar: The Battle That Changed the World RC 61276
by Roy Adkins
read by David Cutler
3 cassettes
First-person accounts portray the October 21, 1805, battle during which Lord
Horatio Nelson engaged France and her Spanish allies after Napoleon threatened
to invade England. Describes nineteenth-century naval warfare technology and
tactics. Explains why the battle, which resulted in Nelson's death, marked
the beginning of British empire building. Violence. 2004.

Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats RC 61277
by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry
read by Mary Kane
1 cassette
Social history of the custom of wearing hats to church in accordance with the
apostle Paul's edict to cover one's head. Through interviews with African American
women of all ages, the authors explore the faith and fashion of black American
churches. Foreword by Maya Angelou. 2000.

Dying to Cross: The Worst Immigrant Tragedy in American History RC 61284
by Jorge Ramos
read by Mark Ashby
1 cassette
Emmy Award-winning journalist recounts the 2003 smuggling of illegal aliens
across the Mexico-Texas border that resulted in the deaths of nineteen people
locked inside a truck. Using survivor interviews and courtroom data, Ramos
reconstructs the experiences of those who paid human traffickers to enter the
United States. 2005.

Love My Rifle More than You: Young and Female in the U.S. Army RC 61285
by Kayla Williams
read by Mary Kane
2 cassettes
An army intelligence expert's account of experiences she had while she was
posted to various infantry units in Iraq during 2003. Williams describes the
terrible conditions the soldiers endured, the boredom, the realities of war,
and the sexual dynamics of being a female among males. Violence and strong
language. 2005.

Live Your Best Life: A Treasury of Wisdom, Wit, Advice, Interviews, and Inspiration
from O, the Oprah Magazine RC 61289
edited by the Oprah Magazine read by Barbara Pinolini
4 cassettes
In articles culled from O, the Oprah Magazine, Oprah offers more than a hundred
articles on such topics as diet and exercise, happiness, confidence, spirituality,
dating, marriage, sex, and parenthood. Also featured are everyday heroes. Contributors
include Dr. Phil, Suze Orman, Harry Connick Jr., and Julie Morgenstern. 2005.

Barrier-Free Travel: A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Wheelers and Slow-Walkers
RC 61293
by Candy Harrington
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
This edition of Barrier-Free Travel (RC 56626), revised after September 11,
2001, contains updates on access-related rules and regulations and airport
security procedures that apply to wheelchair-users and slow walkers. Covers
travel with wheeler kids, tips and tools for planning a trip, and expanded
sections on cruises and resources. 2005.

No God but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam RC 61297
by Reza Aslan
read by Mark Ashby
3 cassettes
Professor of Islamic and Middle Eastern studies reconstructs the origins of
Islam from the prophet Muhammad's message of moral accountability and social
egalitarianism, and its evolution into ideologies of rigid legalism and uncompromising
orthodoxy. Discusses Muslims' current struggle to define the future of their
faith and argues for reform. 2005.

Decision at Sea: Five Naval Battles That Shaped American History RC 61299
by Craig L. Symonds
read by Robert Sams
3 cassettes
Historian illustrates how five pivotal naval battles shaped U.S. history, stimulated
the development of new technology, and changed the nature of sea warfare. Analyzes
the battles of Lake Erie (1813), Hampton Roads (1862), Manila Bay (1898), Midway
(1942), and Operation Praying Mantis (1988). 2005.

Wild Ducks Flying Backward: The Short Writings of Tom Robbins RC 61310
by Tom Robbins
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
A compilation of the novelist Tom Robbins's nonfiction writing—stories, poems,
musings, critiques, travel articles, celebrity profiles, and responses to self-posed
questions. In "Kissing," Robbins ranks the tradition of osculation
as western man's greatest invention. In "Till Lunch Do Us Part," he
praises the appeal of a ripe tomato sandwich. 2005.

The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology RC 61318
by Ray Kurzweil
read by Lou Harpenau
5 cassettes
Inventor and author of The Age of Spiritual Machines (RC 48260) posits that
humankind will merge its biology with nanotechnology and robotics to create
a new species. He predicts the result will eliminate aging, pollution, and
world hunger. 2005.

Cobra Two: The Inside Story of the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq RC 61326
by MichaelS R. Gordon and Bernard E. Trainor
read by various narrators
5 cassettes
Following their analysis of the First Gulf War in The General's War (RC 41075),
Gordon, a New York Times Pentagon correspondent, and Trainor, a three-star
general retired from the Marine Corps, chronicle the decisions behind the U.S.
military engagement in Iraq. Violence and strong language. 2006.

The Big Oyster: History on the Half Shell RC 61328
by Mark Kurlansky
read by John H. Mayer
2 cassettes
Author of Cod (RC 45502) produces a social history of New York City from 1609
to 2005 by examining the rise and fall of oyster harvesting and consumption
in the Hudson River area. Describes the desecration of a natural resource.
Includes historic recipes. Descriptions of sex, violence, and some strong language.
2006.

You're Wearing That? Understanding Mothers and Daughters in Conversation RC
61332
by Deborah Tannen
read by Cassandra Campbell
2 cassettes
Sociolinguist author of You Just Don't Understand (RC 32031) and I Only Say
This Because I Love You (RC 53484) analyzes conversations between mothers and
grown daughters, explains why their interactions are often tense, and suggests
ways to improve both communications and relationships. Anecdotes illustrate
how misunderstandings arise. 2006.

The Great Transformation: The Beginning of Our Religious Traditions RC 61336
by Karen Armstrong
read by Karen Armstrong
4 cassettes
Chronicles the ninth century B.C.E., during which time four distinct world
civilizations developed lasting belief systems: Confucianism and Daoism in
China, Hinduism and Buddhism in India, monotheism in Israel, and philosophical
rationalism in Greece. Examines spiritual sages—like Buddha, Socrates, Confucius,
and Ezekiel—and their commonality concerning the primacy of compassion.
2006.

Cracking Cases: The Science of Solving Crimes RC 61377
by Henry C. Lee
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Renowned forensic criminologist reviews five homicide cases that involve a
man killing a wife or ex-spouse. Focuses on the science used to find information
to solve the crimes. Includes the O.J. Simpson case—for which Dr. Lee
worked for the defense—and the "woodchipper" murder case. 2002.

Scalia Dissents: Writings of the Supreme Court's Wittiest, Most Outspoken
Justice RC 61429
edited by Kevin A. Ring
read by Peter Johnson
2 cassettes
Compilation of rulings by conservative Supreme Court associate justice Antonin
Scalia, who was appointed to the bench in 1986. Includes his written opinions
on religion, abortion, the ADA, gay rights, capital punishment, free speech,
and affirmative action, referencing the U.S. Constitution and its historical
interpretations. 2004.

Finding Mañana: A Memoir of a Cuban Exodus RC
61443
by Mirta Ojito
read by Constance Crawford
2 cassettes
Award-winning reporter describes her family's flight from Cuba during the 1980
Mariel boatlift when she was sixteen years old. Reminisces about life under
a Communist regime and her subsequent integration into American culture. Relates
accounts of other refugees and of those who helped them leave the island. 2005.

The Golden Spruce: A True Story of Myth, Madness, and Greed RC 61482
by John Vaillant
read by Anne Hancock
2 cassettes
Wilderness writer's account of logger-turned-activist Grant Hadwin, who in
1997 cut down a three-hundred-year-old Sitka spruce sacred to the Haida Indians
as a protest against timber company practices. Discusses lumberjacks' perilous
work, Native American traditions, Hadwin's obsession to stop irreparable damage
to forests, and the consequences of his actions. 2005.

America's Game: The Epic Story of How Pro Football Captured a Nation RC 61512
by Michael MacCambridge
read by Bill Wallace
5 cassettes
A history of American football concentrating on the development of the National
Football League during the last half of the twentieth century. Focuses on the
sport's use of television, marketing, racial integration, and innovative leadership
to overtake baseball as the dominant spectator sport. Some strong language.
2004.

Into a Paris Quartier: Reine Margot's Chapel and Other Haunts of St.-Germain
RC 61522
by Diane Johnson
read by Gabriella Cavallero
1 cassette
Johnson, a part-time resident of Paris, describes the legendary area in which
she lives, St.-Germain-des-Prés, aka the Left Bank. Discusses the neighborhood's
four-hundred-year history as the home of four queens, three Musketeers, several
kings, and numerous artistic Americans. Details the region's streets, statues,
architecture, and offbeat surprises. 2005.

The Rescue Artist: A True Story of Art, Thieves, and the Hunt for a Missing
Masterpiece RC 61523
by Edward Dolnick
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Chronicles the 1994 theft and recovery of Edvard Munch's The Scream, a painting
valued at seventy-two million dollars. Describes the heist from Norway's National
Gallery in Oslo and the subsequent three-month investigation by half-English,
half-American undercover detective Charley Hill of Scotland Yard's elite Art
and Antiques Unit. Strong language. 2005.

Turning Memories into Memoirs: A Handbook for Writing Lifestories RC 61546
by Denis Ledoux
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Writing coach presents a step-by-step guide for recording a personal or family
history. Covers jogging one's memory, conducting interviews and research, discerning
fact from fiction, choosing a theme, making it meaningful, and editing a finished
product. Includes exercises, sample life stories, and tips on grammar and storytelling
techniques. 2003.

Love Smart: Find the One You Want—Fix the One You Got RC
61563
by Phil McGraw
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Nationally syndicated television host offers advice to women on building a
committed relationship with a new person or a current partner. Offers "secrets
and strategies" for finding the right man including insights into the
male perspective, tips for self-improvement, rules of dating etiquette, and
ways to overcome stereotypes. Bestseller. 2005.

An End to Evil: How to Win the War on Terror RC 61579
by David Frum and Richard Perle
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
Frum, author of The Right Man (RC 55531) and former special assistant to President
George W. Bush, and Perle, former Defense Policy Board chairman, examine foreign,
domestic, and ideological threats to America. They support Bush administration
initiatives like the Patriot Act but identify U.S. military, intelligence,
and diplomatic vulnerabilities. 2003.

Inside the Mind of Scott Peterson RC 61593
by Keith Ablow
read by Bob Moore
1 cassette
In an attempt to find a scientific explanation, a forensic psychiatrist examines
the reasons Scott Peterson would kill his pregnant wife. Posits that Peterson's
family history caused his sociopathic personality and that a new lover and
impending fatherhood created "the perfect psychological storm" behind
the 2002 crime. 2005.

Revolutionary Wealth: Shaping Tomorrow's Way of Life RC 61608
by Alvin Toffler and Heidi Toffler
read by Melissa Edris
3 cassettes
Authors of Creating a New Civilization (RC 41142) predict major shifts in business
and society by 2025. Discusses the skills that managers will need as technology,
wealth, and culture converge. Considers the crumbling of traditional institutions
and the rise of nongovernmental organizations, flexible work schedules, and
international dependence. 2006.

Message in a Bottle: The Making of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome RC 61611
by Janet Golden
read by Jill Fox
2 cassettes
Social history of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), the diagnosis of physical and
mental birth defects linked to prenatal alcohol exposure. Examines the changing
definitions and meanings of FAS from the 1970s to the 1990s as shaped by the
medical establishment, the media, politics, and legal and social concerns.
2005.

Cassette Books, 2004 RC 61614
by National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
read by Lou Harpenau
4 cassettes
A catalog of talking books produced on cassette during 2004 for adult and young
adult readers. The nonfiction and fiction sections list books by subject categories.
Separate listings identify teen selections, Spanish-language books, and bestsellers.
2005.

Three Billion New Capitalists: The Great Shift of Wealth and Power to the
East RC 61625
by Clyde Prestowitz
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
Author of Rogue Nation (RC 57090) warns of danger to the American economy as
eastern countries like China and India compete in the world market. Criticizes
U.S. trade and budget deficits, insufficient savings, failing schools, and
low investments in research. Cautions that such factors could lead to another
depression. 2005.

O RC 61695
by Omari Grandberry
read by Bill Quinn
1 cassette
Twenty-year-old Omari Grandberry describes his happy childhood in Los Angeles,
his conscious decision to avoid street life, and his rise to hip-hop fame as
a member of B2K from 2000 to 2004. Analyzes the music business and the band's
breakup. Some strong language. For senior high and older readers. 2005.

Professional Ethics and Etiquette RC 61701
edited by J.G. Ferguson Publishing Company
read by Peter Johnson
1 cassette
Advice for developing business character and building professional relationships.
Urges readers to assess their own personality, values, strengths, and weaknesses
to identify areas needing improvement. Offers tips on becoming more responsible,
improving time-management and memory skills, balancing life and work, and more.
For senior high and older readers. 2004.

House of War: The Pentagon and the Disastrous Rise of American Power RC 61728
by James Carroll
read by Robertson Dean
5 cassettes
Chronicle of the U.S. military establishment in the Pentagon, from the building's
construction to the institution's rise as a governmental unit. Argues that
the bombing of Germany and Japan in World War II, the violence of the Iraq
war, and uncontrolled nuclear buildup all illustrate the Pentagon's unrestrained
command. 2006.

Stumbling on Happiness RC 61735
by Daniel Gilbert
read by Daniel Gilbert
2 cassettes
Harvard psychologist uses anecdotes and scientific research to argue that people
cannot predict what will make them happy. Claims that individuals cannot accurately
envision their future and are often surprised at how it really turns out. Some
descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2006.

Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig RC 61772
by Jonathan Eig
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
Reporter uses archives, interviews, and letters to depict the man he considers
the New York Yankee's "greatest" first baseman, Lou Gehrig (1903-1941).
Covers Gehrig's upbringing as the only child of German immigrants, his fallout
with teammate Babe Ruth, and his optimism while facing death from amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis. 2005.

For the Survival of Democracy: Franklin Roosevelt and the World Crisis of
the 1930s RC 61774
by Alonzo L. Hamby
read by Bill Wallace
4 cassettes
History professor recounts U.S. president Franklin Delano Roosevelt's handling
of the economic disaster of the Great Depression while totalitarian governments
rose in Europe. Compares the American response to the crisis with those of
Great Britain and Germany and credits FDR with the survival of democracy. 2004.

My Year in Iraq: The Struggle to Build a Future of Hope RC 61775
by L. Paul Bremer III
read by Bill Wallace
4 cassettes
American former diplomat Bremer recounts his work as administrator, from May
2003 until June 2004, of the then newly formed Coalition Provisional Authority
in Iraq. Bremer contends that more troops were needed after the U.S. invasion,
justifies dismantling the Iraqi army, and describes the rivalries between diverse
groups. 2006.

Thomas Jefferson: Author of America RC 61778
by Christopher Hitchens
read by Bill Wallace
1 cassette
Journalist's concise biography of Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), third U.S.
president. Posits that Jefferson "designed America" by incorporating
the concept of human rights into the Declaration of Independence. Describes
the public and private life of this man of contradictions, who was both a freedom
advocate and a slaveholder. 2005.

Alex: The Life of a Child RC 61780
by Frank Deford
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Journalist's portrait of his daughter, Alexandra, who was just eight years
old when she died in 1980 from cystic fibrosis. He recounts Alexandra's life
and passing, finds solace in the joy she brought to their family, and reveals
the courage of a young girl facing death. Includes 1997 postscript. 1983.

Poker Night: Winning at Home, at the Casino, and Beyond RC 61797
by John Vorhaus
read by Betty Williams
2 cassettes
A renowned poker strategist and commentator offers a guide to all aspects of
home poker: hosting a party, understanding variations of the game, recruiting
players, establishing house rules, and setting betting limits. Explains what
beats what; basic games such as stud, Omaha, and Texas hold 'em; and playing
in casinos. 2004.

Murder on the Rails: The True Story of the Detective Who Unlocked the Shocking
Secrets of the Boxcar Serial Killer RC 61798
by William G. Palmini Jr. and Tanya Chalupa
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Former detective Palmini details the murder investigation that led to the March
1996 apprehension of serial killer Robert Silveria Jr. Silveria, a member of
the little-known Freight Train Riders of America gang, is suspected of murdering
an untold number of victims across the country. Violence and strong language.
2004.

Does God Belong in Public Schools? RC 61802
by Kent Greenawalt
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Columbia University law professor examines the relationship between religion
and the U.S. public school system. Analyses court decisions about constitutional
limits. Considers controversies such as sex education, evolution versus creationism,
Christmas celebrations, religious clubs, and alternate lifestyles, among others.
Reviews the history and purposes of American education programs. 2005.

Beating Back the Devil: On the Front Lines with the Disease Detectives of
the Epidemic Intelligence Service RC 61804
by Maryn McKenna
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
Reporter traces the history of the Atlanta-based Epidemic Intelligence Service
(EIS) of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 1951
to 2003. Follows EIS medical professionals as they investigate disease outbreaks
caused by polio, West Nile virus, smallpox, AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, SARS,
and biological weapons. 2004.

VoiceMale: What Husbands Really Think about Their Marriages, Their Wives,
Sex, Housework, and Commitment RC 61954
by Neil Chethik
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
An examination of men's attitudes, behavior, and marriage expectations based
on firsthand interviews and a national survey of nearly four hundred husbands.
Discusses the male perspective on intimacy, sex, money, career, children, in-laws,
and fidelity. Offers advice for better relationships. Some strong language.
2006.

My Descent into Death: A Second Chance at Life RC 61973
by Howard Storm
read by Bill Wallace
1 cassette
Former atheist discusses the near-death experience he had while awaiting surgery
in a Paris hospital. Storm describes first experiencing darkness and pain,
being embraced by a brilliant light, seeing his wounds vanish, and conversing
with Jesus and his angels. Foreword by Anne Rice. 2005.

The Girl He Left Behind: The Life and Times of Libbie Custer RC 61974
by Suzanne Middendorf Arruda
read by Kerry Cundiff
1 cassette
Traces the life of Elizabeth "Libbie" Custer, who married General
George Armstrong Custer during the Civil War. Depicts the nomadic lifestyle
of a nineteenth-century military wife, describes George's death at the Little
Big Horn, and recounts Libbie's efforts to preserve her husband's reputation.
For senior high and older readers. 2004.

Cassettes Fiction

Garden of Beasts: A Novel of Berlin 1936 RC 59230
by Jeffery Deaver
read by Michael Kramer
3 cassettes
The U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence coerces hit man Paul Schumann to pose
as a journalist covering the Berlin Olympics and assassinate a high-ranking
Nazi. German spies trail Schumann, who meanwhile becomes involved with his
landlady. Some violence and some strong language. 2004.

Kissing in Technicolor RC 59235
by Jane Mendle
read by Victoria Gordon
2 cassettes
Charlotte Frost, a New York City grad student, thinks her dreams are coming
true when soap opera star Hank Destin not only wants to date her but also agrees
to appear in her film project. Tensions on the set force Charlotte to decide
on her priorities. Some strong language. 2004.

Life Goes On: A Harmony Novel RC 59412
by Philip Gulley
read by Derald Breneman
2 cassettes
A lot happens in quiet Harmony as its Quaker pastor, Sam Gardner, tends his
eccentric flock: his house needs constant repair, the "sausage queen" turns
out to be vegetarian, the town spinster might finally get hitched, and Sam
realizes he has forsaken the gospel. 2004.

Gates of Eden: Stories RC 59426
by Ethan Coen
read by Michael Russotto
2 cassettes
Fourteen offbeat and ironic tales involving crime, violence, and other forms
of deviant behavior. In the title story a state weights-and-measures inspector
is seduced by a Japanese temptress in a blackmail scheme. Descriptions of sex,
violence, and strong language. 1998.

Honey, Baby, Sweetheart RC 59694
by Deb Caletti
read by Mimi Bederman
2 cassettes
In the summer of her junior year, sixteen-year-old Ruby McQueen and her mother,
both nursing broken hearts, help an elderly member of their book club reunite
with a lost love. Along the way they gain independence. Some strong language.
For senior high and older readers. National Book Award Finalist. 2004.

Dating Dead Men: Wollie Shelley Novel RC 59695
by Harley Jane Kozak
read by Gillian Green
2 cassettes
Los Angeles greeting card artist Wollie Shelley, busy with a dating research
project, dashes off to visit her institutionalized, schizophrenic brother.
She finds a body on the road and fears that her sibling could be involved.
As Wollie investigates, a colorful cast of characters gradually enters her
life. 2004.

The Mt. Monadnock Blues RC 59868
by Larry Duberstein
read by Derald Breneman
2 cassettes
Forty-year-old gay Boston travel agent Tim Bannon raises his niece and nephew
after his sister and her husband are killed in a car accident. But a homophobic
brother-in-law contests Tim's guardianship and sues to take the children away.
Strong language. 2003.

Prep RC 59891
by Curtis Sittenfeld
read by Victoria Gordon
3 cassettes
Midwest scholarship student Lee Fiora feels isolated at a New England prep
school. She struggles to understand a roommate's suicide attempt, conducts
a secret sexual relationship with a popular boy, and alienates the school community
through a perceived betrayal. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong
language. Bestseller. 2005.

The Mermaid Chair RC 60121
by Sue Monk Kidd
read by Colleen Delany
2 cassettes
When fortyish Jesse Sullivan returns to Egret Island to reconnect with her
failing mother, she doesn't expect to be overwhelmed with passion for a Benedictine
monk. Jessie confronts her present confusion while she probes her mother's
past. Some descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2005.

Dragon's Lair: A Medieval Mystery RC 60184
by Sharon Kay Penman
read by Kate Kiley
2 cassettes
England, 1193. When ransom money to free her son, Richard Lionheart, from the
Holy Roman Emperor disappears and is presumed stolen, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine
sends agent Justin de Quincy to recover the payment. Sequel to Cruel as the
Grave (RC 51126). Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong
language. 2003.

Trophy Hunt: A Joe Pickett Novel RC 60195
by C.J. Box
read by David Hartley-Margolin
2 cassettes
Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett encounters a mysteriously mutilated moose during
a fishing trip. When several cattle and two men turn up similarly disfigured,
Joe becomes a reluctant member of the governor's special task force to uncover
who, or what, is behind the killings. Violence and strong language. 2004.

Masters of Fantasy RC 60249
edited by Bill Fawcett and Brian Thomsen
read by Derald Breneman
4 cassettes
Adventure stories related to popular fantasy series and commissioned to introduce
some of the bestselling authors of this genre. David Drake (Isles series),
Alan Dean Foster (Spellsinger), Mercedes Lackey (Valdemar), Andre Norton (Witchworld),
and Mickey Zucker Reichert (Shadamehr) contribute, among others. For senior
high and older readers. 2004.

Alamut RC 60468
by Vladimir Bartol
read by Mitzi Friedlander
4 cassettes
Slovenian writer's allegory of power and corruption based on the life of eleventh-century
political terrorist Hasan ibn Sabbah. Ismaili leader Sabbah plans to take back
Persia from its Sunni Turkish occupiers. Avani, a Shiite Muslim, joins the
fedayeen, while slave girl Halima is imprisoned in the harem. 2004 translation.
1938.

The Rose of the World: Fool's Gold, Book 3 RC 60604
by Jude Fisher
read by MaryBeth Wise
5 cassettes
Mage Rahe's overconfidence has allowed his captives—the Woman, the Man, and
the Beast—to escape from Sanctuary. As Rahe plots to recapture them, Rosa Eldi's
powers begin to return. Rosa realizes her true identity and works to restore
her world, Elda. Sequel to Wild Magic (RC 56905). Explicit descriptions of
sex. 2005.

Cinnamon Kiss: An Easy Rawlins Mystery RC 60638
by Walter Mosley
read by Michael Boatman
2 cassettes
California, 1960s. To pay for his daughter's expensive medical treatment, Easy
Rawlins joins PI Saul Lynx in tracking down a missing wealthy lawyer and his
lover Cinnamon. The investigation takes Easy to San Francisco, where he encounters
the hippie movement and murder. Strong language and some violence. Bestseller.
2005.

Cover the Butter RC 60646
by Carrie Kabak
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
United Kingdom, 1995. Kate Cadogan Fanshaw returns home to discover her eighteen-year-old
son has trashed the house. Infuriated by her husband Rodney's indifference,
Kate assesses her life through the sixties, seventies, and eighties and rethinks
her current situation. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex.
2005.

The Geographer's Library RC 60653
by Jon Fasman
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Small-town Connecticut reporter Paul Tomm is assigned to write the obituary
of enigmatic history professor Jaan Pühapäev. Researching, Paul
uncovers links to occult objects stolen from a twelfth-century royal geographer
and learns that neither Jaan's life nor his death were what they seemed. Strong
language and some violence. 2005.

The Ambassador's Son: A Josh Thurlow Novel, Book 2 RC 60656
by Homer Hickam
read by David Hartley-Margolin
3 cassettes
Solomon Islands, World War II. Coast Guard captain Josh Thurlow is assigned
to find a young marine officer who has apparently deserted. PT boat skipper
John Kennedy, son of a former ambassador to Great Britain, aids the daring
search. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language.
2005.

The Camel Club RC 60678
by David Baldacci
read by Jonathan Davis
3 cassettes
Wealthy businessmen and politicians gather at the Camel Club, unaware that
their conversations are being monitored. After homeless Oliver Stone witnesses
a murder, Secret Service agent Alex Ford interviews him. Ford's subsequent
investigation yields information on a potential political assassination. Some
violence and some strong language. Bestseller. 2005.

Shadows of Steel: A Patrick McLanahan Thriller RC 60735
by Dale Brown
read by Jim Zeiger
3 cassettes
Iran sinks an American spy ship and takes prisoners, determined to control
the Persian Gulf with its aircraft carriers. Since the United States military
is crippled by budget cuts, Patrick McLanahan and his secret agency plan to
respond with a stealth bomber attack. Strong language, some explicit descriptions
of sex, and some violence. 1996.

The Minister's Daughter RC 60759
by Julie Hearn
read by Terry Donnelly
2 cassettes
England, 1645. To conceal an out-of- wedlock pregnancy, the daughters of the
town minister successfully accuse a local healer and her granddaughter of witchcraft.
Years later, during the 1692 Salem trials, their lie has unexpected repercussions.
For junior and senior high readers. 2005.

High Plains Tango RC 60763
by Robert James Waller
read by Robertson Dean
2 cassettes
Carlisle McMillan, carpenter son of photographer Robert Kincaid from The Bridges
of Madison County (RC 35861), settles in Salamander, South Dakota. There McMillan
renovates his home and falls in love with Susanna Benteen—while he resists
the local government's seizure of his land to build a highway. Strong language,
some explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2005.

Migration: Species Imperative, Book 2 RC 61083
by Julie E. Czerneda
read by Mary Kane
3 cassettes
The formerly peaceful Dhryn aliens have abandoned their home world and set
off across space, annihilating every life-form in their path. Fearing the worst,
the Interspecies Union summons Pacific Coast salmon research biologist Mackenzie "Mac" Connor
to help find a way to stop them. Sequel to Survival (RC 60864). 2005.

Playing with Boys RC 61100
by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez
read by Laura Giannarelli
3 cassettes
Los Angeles. Spanish-language TV star Marcella Bosch dreams of being a big-screen
actress, while stay-at-home mom Olivia Flores aspires to be a screenwriter
and would-be film producer Alexis Lopez hopes to start a company. Together
the thirtyish women forge friendship and Hollywood success. Some descriptions
of sex and some strong language. 2004.

A Fine Passion: A Bastion Club Novel, Book 4 RC 61108
by Stephanie Laurens
read by Vanessa Maroney
3 cassettes
Baron Jack Warnefleet flees London to avoid marriage to a scheming female.
Arriving at his estate he rescues neighbor Lady Clarice Altwood from an unmanageable
horse. When Clarice's cousin is accused of espionage, Jack and Clarice work
to find the real culprit. Descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2005.

A Kingsbury Collection: Where Yesterday Lives, When Joy Came to Stay, On Every
Side RC 61115
by Karen Kingsbury
read by Michele Schaeffer
6 cassettes
Three novels in which people recover their faith. In Where Yesterday Lives,
reporter Ellen Barrett returns to Michigan for her father's funeral and confronts
her past. Jordan Riley, in On Every Side, loses his anger after finding love.
In When Joy Came to Stay, Maggie Stovall faces the truth. 1998.

Immoral RC 61116
by Brian Freeman
read by Michael Scherer
3 cassettes
Jonathan Stride of the Duluth, Minnesota, police department and his partner
Maggie Bei investigate the disappearance of two teenaged girls. The main suspect
is murdered during the subsequent trial, but years later further evidence surfaces
in Las Vegas. Explicit descriptions of sex, strong language, and some violence.
2005.

Oh, Play That Thing: The Last Roundup, Book 2 RC 61130
by Roddy Doyle
read by Jim Zeiger
3 cassettes
Henry Smart, from A Star Called Henry (RC 49579), lands in New York City in
1924 after leaving Ireland, his revolutionary friends, and his family. When
mobsters run Henry out of town, he resettles in Chicago, becoming the frontman
for Louis Armstrong. Explicit descriptions of sex and strong language. 2004.

The Covenant RC 61142
by Naomi Ragen
read by Gabriella Cavallero
2 cassettes
Four teenagers in a Nazi concentration camp—Esther, Maria, Leah, and Ariana—vow
to always be there for one another. Decades later when Leah's granddaughter
calls from Israel with the news that her husband and daughter have been kidnapped
by Hamas, the women put their considerable influence to work. Some violence.
2004.

Fear the Night RC 61150
by John Lutz
read by Scott Brick
3 cassettes
A serial killer nicknamed the Night Sniper terrorizes New York City and taunts
the police. The madman wants retired detective Vincent Repetto to catch him,
so he murders Repetto's friend in order to force his hand. Descriptions of
sex, violence, and strong language. 2005.

A Brief Lunacy RC 61152
by Cynthia Thayer
read by various narrators
2 cassettes
Maine retirees Carl and Jessie Jensen worry when their institutionalized daughter
Sylvie runs away. Meanwhile the lost camper the Jensens allowed into their
home is Sylvie's schizophrenic boyfriend Jonah, who becomes increasingly agitated
and takes the couple hostage. Under stress, Carl reveals his traumatic wartime
experiences. Descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. 2005.

Larry Bond's First Team: Angels of Wrath RC 61153
by Larry Bond and Jim Defilice
read by Scott Brick
3 cassettes
CIA agent Bob Ferguson leads a new team operating outside conventional restrictions
to uncover instigators of an Armageddon scenario in Jerusalem. Soon the team
is tracking links to the Iraqi resistance, a Syrian arms dealer, fanatical
terrorists, and Israel's Mossad. Some violence and some strong language. 2005.

The Red Hat Society's Acting Their Age RC 61155
by Regina Hale Sutherland
read by Staci Snell
2 cassettes
Members of the Red Hat Society, a nationwide organization of middle-aged women,
extol their age and experience and find love and happiness. Descriptions of
sex, strong language, and some violence. 2005.

Anansi Boys RC 61156
by Neil Gaiman
read by Christopher Walker
2 cassettes
Fat Charlie considers his father's behavior so embarrassing that even the way
he dies in a karaoke bar seems undignified. Then the arrival of a previously
unknown brother named Spider, who is so much like their father, turns Charlie's
life upside down. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2005.

Sweetwater Creek RC 61159
by Anne Rivers Siddons
read by Kimberly Schraf
3 cassettes
Twelve-year-old Emily Parmenter lives on a plantation where her father raises
hunting spaniels and her only friends are her dog and the wise black housekeeper.
When troubled debutante Lulu Foxworth moves in to recuperate, Emily grows up
too fast. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bestseller. 2005.

Goodnight Nobody RC 61160
by Jennifer Weiner
read by Victoria Gordon
2 cassettes
Kate Klein, former Manhattan journalist and the mother of three preschool children,
is bored with her stale suburban marriage. When Kate discovers the body of
neighbor Kitty Cavanaugh, she decides to get some excitement into her life
and find the killer. Strong language and some violence. Bestseller. 2005.

A Test of Faith RC 61170
by Maxine Billings
read by Colleen Delany
2 cassettes
After unexpectedly losing her husband, Clayton, thirty-five-year-old African
American Andrea Hamilton faces yet more challenges. She must raise her five-year-old
daughter alone—and she discovers she is pregnant. As her twin sister, Leah,
prepares to marry Clayton's brother, Andrea turns to family and faith in her
journey through grief. 2005.

Savage Wilderness RC 61171
by Harold Coyle
read by Ted Stoddard
4 cassettes
French and Indian War, 1754-1760. British forces and American colonial militias
battle the French and their Indian allies for control of frontier territory
from Canada to Virginia. Embroiled in the conflict are soldiers, officers,
natives, and colonists including exiled Scottish rebel Ian McPherson, who joins
the Virginia Regiment. Violence. 1997.

Witch Hunt RC 61174
by Ian Rankin
read by Annie Wauters
3 cassettes
Retired British secret service agent Dominic Elder is called into service after
an international female assassin known as "Witch" appears in England.
Elder joins Michael Barclay in tracking the woman to a gypsy encampment, where
they learn of a possible personal vendetta. Some violence and some strong language.
1993.

Star Quality RC 61183
by Lori Foster,
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Three short stories about lovers affected by the light of the moon. In "Once
in a Blue Moon," Stan acquires the ability to read minds, including Jenna's
naughty one. In "Moonstruck," divorcée Julia's bad luck is
about to change. Descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2005.

Honeymoon Suite RC 61186
by Lynn Michaels
read by Colleen Delany
3 cassettes
Kansas City. When their family's fortune is stolen, sisters Dory and Jill Lambert
vow to save their reputations and estate. Then Chase McKay, chauffeur's-son-turned-millionaire,
returns to town and complicates matters. Chase was Dory's childhood crush,
but he lusts after Jill. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong
language. 2005.

From the Heart RC 61188
by Nora Roberts
read by Michele Schaeffer
3 cassettes
Three romances written in the 1980s. In Tonight and Always, an anthropologist
and the writer for whom she is doing research fall in love. A Matter of Choice
involves an antiques dealer, a New York cop, and international smuggling. Explicit
descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1983.

Heart and Soul RC 61189
by Eva Rutland
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
Randall Enterprises takes over Jill Ferrell's San Francisco advertising company.
Scott Randall has a personal interest in the deal—and in Jill. Jill's friend
Kris Gilroy, a young African American woman, finds love of her own with Tom
Harris, a white man, but fears her family's disapproval. Some strong language.
2005.

How to Marry a Marquis RC 61190
by Julia Quinn
read by Corrie James
2 cassettes
While working as a companion to Lady Danbury, Elizabeth finds and reads the
book How to Marry a Marquis. Since she needs to support her siblings, Elizabeth
proceeds to intrigue and charm Lady Danbury's estate manager, unaware that
he is really a marquis. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 1999.

Match Me if You Can RC 61191
by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
read by Faith Potts
3 cassettes
After ditzy Annabelle Granger inherits her grandmother's matchmaking business,
she convinces sports agent Heath Champion to become her client. Although already
working with Portia Powers's agency, Heath agrees he needs additional help
in finding a trophy wife. Soon sparks fly. Strong language and some descriptions
of sex. 2005.

Kingdom of the Golden Dragon RC 61217
by Isabel Allende
read by Gabriella Cavallero
2 cassettes
On their latest International Geographic expedition to the remote Himalayas,
Alexander and Nadia team up again to locate a sacred statue of a golden dragon
before it is stolen by a greedy outsider. Sequel to City of the Beasts (RC
56606). For senior high and older readers. 2004.

My Sunshine: The Coulter Family, Book 6 RC 61219
by Catherine Anderson
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Isaiah Coulter's mother is matchmaking for him again, this time with a neighbor
whose granddaughter works as a kennel keeper. They hope the couple's mutual
love of animals will spark a romance. Sequel to Bright Eyes (RC 59542). Some
explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2005.

The Black Prince RC 61229
by Iris Murdoch
read by John Horton
3 cassettes (Reissue)
Long divorced and now retired, Bradley Pearson prepares to move to an English
seaside cottage to write. But a crisis in the marriage of close friends, Pearson's
sudden passion for their daughter, and his own obtuseness lead to an accusation
of murder. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language.
1973.

The Twelfth Card: A Lincoln Rhyme Novel RC 61232
by Jeffery Deaver
read by Jim Zeiger
3 cassettes
After African American teenager Geneva Settle is attacked at a Manhattan library
while conducting genealogical research, quadriplegic detective Lincoln Rhyme
and his assistant Amelia Sachs investigate. When Geneva continues to be stalked,
the evidence ultimately leads to a post-Civil War family secret. Violence
and strong language. 2005.

Wanderer of the Wasteland RC 61240
by Zane Grey
read by Richard Davidson
3 cassettes
Late 1870s. Adam Larey has reluctantly come west with his brother Guerd. Then
a fight between them over a woman turns deadly. Adam flees and for fourteen
years wanders through Death Valley until he comes to the realization that he
must pay for his crime. 1923.

Banewreaker: The Sundering, Volume 1 RC 61251
by Jacqueline Carey
read by Ray Childs
4 cassettes
Seven Shapers fight a war that sunders the world they created. Exiled Shaper
Satoris, called Banewreaker, learns of a prophecy that his destruction will
heal the land. To thwart a powerful alliance, Satoris sends Tanaros Blacksword
to kidnap Cerelinde, Lady of Ellylon, on her wedding day. Some violence. 2004.

An Obituary for Major Reno RC 61252
by Richard S. Wheeler
read by Ray Childs
2 cassettes
1889. Dying of cancer, Marcus Reno—the man held responsible for Custer's 1876
defeat at the Little Bighorn—grants an interview to New York Herald correspondent
Joseph Richler in hopes of restoring his honor. Reno's story of treachery,
scape-goating, and lost love unfolds alongside his own version of the infamous
battle. 2004.

Islands RC 61254
by Dan Sleigh
read by Dan Bloom
6 cassettes
A story of the Dutch colony at South Africa's Cape of Good Hope in the late
1600s and early 1700s. Follows the life of Pieternella, a beautiful mixed-heritage
woman, and seven men inexorably linked to her life. Translated from the Afrikaans
by André Brink. Violence and some strong language. 2002.

Breaking Point RC 61257
by Suzanne Brockmann
read by Geoffrey Centlivre
3 cassettes
When FBI agent Max Bhagat learns his ex-lover Gina Vitagliano has been killed
in a terrorist bombing, he heads to Germany to identify the body—but
it isn't Gina. Gina has been kidnapped, and only wanted expatriate Grady Morant
can help. Explicit descriptions of sex, strong language, and some violence.
2005.

The Love Affair of an English Lord: Boscastle Trilogy, Book 2 RC 61258
by Jillian Hunter
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Chloe Boscastle has been banished to the countryside by her brother Grayson.
Her exile turns into adventure when she discovers the supposedly dead Dominic
Breckland, the Viscount Stratfield, in her closet. While attempting to find
his enemy, they create a little scandal of their own. Explicit descriptions
of sex. 2005.

What's French for "EW"? Emily Williams, Book
3 RC 61264
by Katie Maxwell
read by Lindsay Ellison
1 cassette
Emily is off to Paris for two weeks to study French and celebrate her seventeenth
birthday. And thanks to a mishap before leaving England, Emily must take a
school project along. For senior high readers. 2004.

Estate of Mind: A Den of Antiquity Mystery RC 61265
by Tamar Myers
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
To please her mother, North Carolina antiques dealer Abigail Timberlake buys
an ugly reproduction at a church auction. Underneath the painting she discovers
a hidden masterpiece worth millions. Soon Abigail becomes the target of thieves
and murderers. Some strong language. 1999.

The Best-Kept Secret RC 61266
by Kimberla Lawson Roby
read by Gail Nelson
2 cassettes
The Reverend Curtis Black is starting over again, with a new church and his
third wife. He is determined to follow the straight and narrow. This time it
is his wife who begins to stray. Sequel to Too Much of a Good Thing (RC 60253).
Some descriptions of sex. 2005.

The Destruction of the Books RC 61270
by Mel Odom
read by Anne Flosnik
3 cassettes
Librarian Juhg retrieves a wizard's book from a goblin ship and brings it to
Grandmagister Edgewick Lamplighter to unravel its secrets, but the book is
a trap that could destroy the Great Library. Sequel to The Rover (RC 56430).
For junior and senior high readers. 2004.

Lord of the Libraries RC 61271
by Mel Odom
read by Anne Flosnik
3 cassettes
The Vault of All Known Knowledge has been destroyed and its caretaker, Grandmagister
Edgewick Lamplighter, abducted. Librarian Juhg sets out to rescue his mentor
and find the legendary lost Book of Time. Sequel to The Destruction of the
Books (RC 61270). For junior and senior high and older readers. 2005.

The Duke's Ballad: Witch World RC 61275
by Andre Norton and Lyn McConchie
read by Mary Kane
2 cassettes
Three years after fleeing her evil older brother Kirion, sorcerer to the duke
of Kars, witch Aisling returns to her homeland with her younger brother Keelan
and feline companion Wind Dancer. Aisling infiltrates court, determined to
destroy Kirion and restore peace and prosperity. Sequel to Ciara's Song (RC
51316). 2005.

Links RC 61281
by Nuruddin Farah
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
New York professor Jeebleh returns to his native Somalia after two decades
to settle his late mother's accounts and pacify her spirit. He discovers a
war-torn Mogadiscio run by warlords. To help a friend free his captured niece,
Jeebleh struggles with corruption and his own conscience. 2003.

The Scourge of God RC 61286
by William Dietrich
read by Gregory Gorton
3 cassettes
Roman Empire, A.D. 449. Attila the Hun is on the verge of attacking Rome and
taking Emperor Valentinian III's sister Honoria as his wife. Jonas, a scribe
from Constantinople, joins the Roman diplomatic mission to seek peace but instead
becomes a hostage. Violence and some strong language. 2005.

Tyrannosaur Canyon RC 61287
by Douglas Preston
read by Ted Stoddard
3 cassettes
New Mexico. A prospector who is dying of gunshot wounds gives Tom Broadbent,
from The Codex (RC 59287), a notebook revealing the location of a Tyrannosaurus
rex skeleton. When the killer kidnaps Tom's wife, Tom discovers information
about some missing moon rocks. Some violence and some strong language. 2005.

Touching Darkness: Midnighters, Volume 2 RC 61290
by Scott Westerfeld
read by Mary Kane
2 cassettes
As they continue to battle evil creatures living in an hour hidden at midnight,
Jessica and her new friends learn about the shadowy past of Bixby, Oklahoma,
and uncover a deadly conspiracy that reaches beyond the secret hour. For junior
and senior high readers. 2004.

Shaman's Crossing: The Soldier Son Trilogy, Book 1 RC 61300
by Robin Hobb
read by Robert Sams
5 cassettes
As a second son of a new noble, Nevare Burvelle is destined to be a soldier.
He learns the ways and magic of the Plainspeople before entering the King's
Cavalla Academy, an elite military school, where he encounters injustice, discrimination,
and foul play. Some violence and some strong language. 2005.

The Hummingbird's Daughter RC 61312
by Luis Alberto Urrea
read by Annie Wauters
3 cassettes
Teresita Urrea, illegitimate daughter of a Mexican landowner, learns healing
from a medicine woman. After a near-death experience, her powers grow. She
preaches self-reliance and is proclaimed a saint by the faithful, who begin
an uprising. Based on the life of Saint Teresa de Cabora. Violence and strong
language. 2005.

Prior Bad Acts RC 61320
by Tami Hoag
read by Holter Graham
2 cassettes
Minneapolis detectives Sam Kovac and Nikki Liska, from Dust to Dust (RC 50847),
unwillingly serve as guards to the unpopular judge Carey Moore. When Moore
is kidnapped, the two work feverishly to correct their mistake. Violence, strong
language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2006.

Speak of the Devil RC 61321
by Richard Hawke
read by Paul Michael
2 cassettes
Fritz Malone, a disgraced cop and son of a former police commissioner, witnesses
a killer gun down seven people during the annual New York Thanksgiving Day
parade. Malone is mistakenly nabbed but subsequently hired to find the shooter,
who has also kidnapped the deputy mayor. Violence, strong language, and some
descriptions of sex. 2005.

Leonardo's Swans RC 61323
by Karen Essex
read by Kathe Mazur
3 cassettes
In fifteenth-century Italy, Isabella d'Este marries a minor aristocrat while
her younger sister Beatrice weds the manipulative future duke of Milan. Isabella
encourages the duke's advances in order to become a model for his resident
artist, Leonardo da Vinci. 2005.

The Templar Legacy RC 61331
by Steve Berry
read by Paul Michael
3 cassettes
Cotton Malone, retired top operative of the U.S. Justice Department, comes
to the aid of his former supervisor Stephanie Nelle, who is pursuing the legendary
treasure of the Knights Templar. Violence, strong language, and some descriptions
of sex. 2006.

In the Company of the Courtesan RC 61334
by Sarah Dunant
read by Stephen Hoye
3 cassettes
Renaissance Italy. After Rome is attacked and burned in 1527, courtesan Fiammetta
escapes to Venice with her servant Bucino, a dwarf, and a few jewels. Fiammetta
recovers with the help of a blind healer called La Draga and resumes her profession
amidst treachery. Descriptions of sex, violence and strong language. 2005.

Gone RC 61335
by Lisa Gardner
read by Anna Fields
2 cassettes
Private investigator Pierce Quincy's partner—who is also his lover—is
missing, as is the child whose case she's been working on. Then her car is
found with blood stains. 2006.

The Good Life RC 61337
by Jay McInerney
read by Robertson Dean
3 cassettes
Luke McGavock is tired of a hectic life concentrated on making money. Corrine
Calloway yearns for an existence outside of mothering twins. On September 11,
2001, both of their spouses die in the attack on the Twin Towers. Explicit
descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. 2006.

Sea Change: A Jesse Stone Mystery RC 61343
by Robert B. Parker
read by Scott Sowers
2 cassettes
Paradise, Massachusetts, police chief Jesse Stone investigates the unmourned
death of a Florida heiress. Ft. Lauderdale cop Kelly Cruz helps Stone uncover
the depraved world of the rich while Stone deals with sobriety and his ex-wife.
Descriptions of sex, strong language, and some violence. 2005.

The Minotaur RC 61345
by Barbara Vine
read by Rosalyn Landor
3 cassettes
Nurse Kerstin Kvist takes a job caring for a thirty-nine-year-old man with
schizophrenia who lives with his widowed mother and three unmarried sisters
in a large old manor in the Essex countryside. As family secrets are revealed,
Kerstin begins to doubt the man's diagnosis. Descriptions of sex and strong
language. 2005.

The Divide RC 61349
by Nicholas Evans
read by David Hartley Margolin
3 cassettes
Abbie Cooper, FBI wanted eco-terrorist, is found frozen in Montana. Her parents
examine whether their unexpected divorce played a role in Abbie's attraction
to the radical Rolf, in her death, and in their son Josh's drug addiction.
Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence. Bestseller.
2005.

I'll Watch the Moon RC 61357
by Ann Tatlock
read by Jill Ferris
3 cassettes
St. Paul, Minnesota; 1948. When nine-year-old Nova Tierney's older brother
Dewey contracts polio, she is quarantined for the summer. Nova and her mother
befriend a concentration camp survivor, a tenant at their family boarding house,
who helps restore the mother's faith in God. For senior high and older readers.
2003.

A Changed Man RC 61361
by Francine Prose
read by David Hartley-Margolin
3 cassettes
Neo-Nazi Vincent Nolan walks into the World Brotherhood Watch headquarters
intending to help them work for human rights. Meyer Maslow, the foundation's
head and a Holocaust survivor, is skeptical of Vincent's sincerity. As Vincent
transforms his life, he also changes those around him. Some strong language.
2005.

Ramage's Devil: The Lord Ramage Novels, Book 13 RC 61363
by Dudley Pope
read by Erik Sandvold
3 cassettes
The outbreak of war interrupts Captain Ramage's honeymoon in France. The newlyweds
elude capture, but their royalist host is arrested and deported to Devil's
Island. Dispatched aboard Calypso, Ramage plots a daring rescue. Sequel to
Ramage and the Renegades (RC 61350). Some descriptions of sex and some violence.
1982.

Across the Wall: A Tale of the Abhorsen and Other Stories RC 61367
by Garth Nix
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
A collection of fantasy short stories, including two different takes on the
Merlin myth. Also contains a novella that is set in the Old Kingdom and Ancelstierre—the
world of the trilogy Sabriel (RC 44682), Lirael (RC 52678), and Abhorsen (RC
55530). Some descriptions of sex. For junior and senior high readers. 2005.

In the Bleak Midwinter: A Reverend Clare Fergusson Mystery RC 61372
by Julia Spencer-Fleming
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Clare Fergusson, an ex-military pilot and the newly appointed Episcopal priest
at St. Alban's Church in an upstate New York village, discovers an abandoned
infant on the church steps. After the baby's mother is found murdered, Clare
joins police chief Russ Van Alstyne in investigating the case. Strong language.
2002.

Adored RC 61375
by Tilly Bagshawe
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
4 cassettes
Siena McMahon's father exiles her to England after her legendary movie star
grandfather dies. She is nevertheless determined to restore fame and fortune
by returning to Hollywood as a model. But family strife and bad choices jeopardize
Siena's plans. Descriptions of sex and strong language. 2005.

Ramage's Trial: The Lord Ramage Novels, Book 14 RC 61379
by Dudley Pope
read by Erik Sandvold
3 cassettes
Captain Ramage receives dire news from home: his new wife, Sarah, is missing
and presumed captured by the French. A sequence of bizarre events leads Ramage,
en route to England, to face a full court martial presided over by his nemesis,
Rear-Admiral Goddard. Sequel to Ramage's Devil (RC 61363). Some violence. 1984.

Smouldering Fire RC 61401
by D.E. Stevenson
read by Terry Donnelly
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Iain MacAslan rents his Scottish Highland estate to a wealthy Londoner, who
brings up a large house party. Among the guests are divorcée Linda Medworth
and her young son, Richard. Iain and Linda's burgeoning relationship is interrupted
when Linda's abusive ex-husband arrives and threatens to take Richard away.
1938.

London Refrain: Zion Covenant, Volume 7 RC 61404
by Bodie Thoene and Brock Thoene
read by Suzanne Toren
2 cassettes
Warsaw, 1939. Eva Weitzman is desperately trying to enter and hide in the British
Embassy before Hitler's army reaches the city. Miraculously, a young Jewish
woman gives Eva her British passport. But this show of kindness may not save
Eva. Sequel to Warsaw Requiem (RC 34906). 1994.

Peach Cobbler Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery RC 61409
by Joanne Fluke
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Lake Eden, Minnesota. Hannah Swensen's Cookie Jar has always had a monopoly
on the bakery business in town—until southerners Shawna Lee and Vanessa open
the Magnolia Blossom Bakery across the street. Then Shawna Lee is discovered
dead, and Hannah becomes the prime suspect. Includes recipes. 2005.

Shroud RC 61410
by John Banville
read by Lewis Grenville
2 cassettes
Widowed California professor Axel Vander, paralyzed in one leg and blind in
one eye, is a survivor of war—torn Europe. He is also a fraud. When a strange
woman threatens to expose him, he returns to Europe to confront her-and his
hidden truths. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 2002.

Nightmare at 20,000 Feet: Horror Stories RC 61412
by Richard Matheson
read by Jonathan Davis
3 cassettes
Twenty tales of terror originally published in the 1950s and 1960s. In the
title piece, an air traveler who is afraid of flying and on the verge of a
breakdown tries to show a stewardess the hideous, not-quite-human man he spies
on the airplane's wing. Some strong language. 2002.

The Alpine Pursuit: An Emma Lord Mystery RC 61413
by Mary Daheim
read by Barbara Caruso
2 cassettes
Washington state. Newspaper editor Emma Lord covers the community college theater
performance for the Alpine Advocate. On opening night, a fake shooting scene
turns deadly when real bullets are fired and the dean of students is killed.
Emma and her part-time lover, sheriff Milo Dodge, investigate. Some strong
language. 2004.

Body Double RC 61421
by Tess Gerritsen
read by Gabra Zackman
2 cassettes
Boston medical examiner Maura Isles discovers that the dead woman in her driveway
is her identical twin. Detective Jane Rizzoli, who is expecting a child, assists
officer Rick Ballard and Maura in the investigation, which leads them to a
serial killer who targets pregnant women. Violence and strong language. 2004.

Code Name: Nanny RC 61434
by Christina Skye
read by Barbara Caruso
3 cassettes
FBI agent Summer Mulcahey poses as a nanny to guard San Francisco assistant
district attorney Cara O'Connor and her daughters. Cara, Senator Tate Winslow's
fiancée, has received death threats. Unbeknownst to Summer, navy SEAL
Gabe Morgan is also undercover. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some
strong language. 2004.

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Operation Barracuda; a Splinter Cell Adventure
RC 61436
by David Michaels
read by Ray Childs
2 cassettes
Physicist Gregory Jeinsen disappears just as his company develops an unmanned
undersea vehicle capable of carrying nuclear weapons. When Gregory is found
murdered in Hong Kong, the National Security Agency's Third Echelon sends in
top secret operative Sam Fisher. Strong language, some descriptions of sex,
and some violence. Bestseller. 2005.

Godslayer: The Sundering, Volume 2 RC 61438
by Jacqueline Carey
read by Ray Childs
3 cassettes
Exiled god Satoris, whose dispute with his siblings caused Urulat's sundering,
attempts to thwart his prophesied destruction. As the races unite against him,
Satoris holds Lady Cerelinde captive in his fortress, where hangs the dagger
Godslayer that alone can end his life. Sequel to Banewreaker (RC 61251). Some
violence. 2005.

My Surrender: The Rose Hunters, Book 3 RC 61440
by Connie Brockway
read by Anne Hancock
2 cassettes
Bored with her position as a companion, Charlotte Nash welcomes the opportunity
to become a go-between for spies transporting information between England and
France—even if it ruins her reputation. But can she risk trusting the love
of one spy? Sequel to My Pleasure (RC 60021). Explicit descriptions of sex.
2005.

Julia's Hope RC 61447
by Leisha Kelly
read by Anne Hancock
2 cassettes
The 1929 market crash left Samuel Wortham, his wife, Julia, and their two children
with absolutely nothing. Forced to leave their home in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania,
and take shelter in an abandoned farmhouse in Illinois, they are blessed by
the mercy of owner Emma Graham, who offers new hope. 2002.

Summer Boys RC 61448
by Hailey Abbott
read by Anne Hancock
1 cassette
Three teenage cousins reunite at their families' summer cottages at the beach.
But problems arise when Jamie is rejected by last year's boyfriend, Ella falls
for her sister's guy, and Beth sees her best buddy George in a new light. For
senior high readers. 2004.

Lifeguard RC 61488
by James Patterson and Andrew Gross
read by Billy Campbell
2 cassettes
Palm Beach, Florida, lifeguard Ned Kelly takes part in a mansion art heist
to get rich quick. After Ned's friends and lover are killed, he flees to Boston.
FBI agent Ellie Shurtleff tracks Ned down but believes that he is innocent.
Explicit descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. Bestseller. 2005.

A Wedding in December RC 61489
by Anita Shreve
read by Linda Emond
2 cassettes
Widowed Berkshires innkeeper Nora hosts six of her longtime school friends
for a wedding. Forty-three-year-old cancer-stricken Bridget, a single mother,
is marrying a former lover after a chance encounter reunites them. Old secrets
and hurts are divulged and forgiven. Strong language. Bestseller. 2005.

Mary, Mary: An Alex Cross Mystery RC 61490
by James Patterson
read by Peter Jay Fernandez
2 cassettes
FBI agent Alex Cross, vacationing with his family at Disneyland, assists the
LAPD in solving a murder case. A serial killer who calls herself Mary Smith
is targeting Hollywood stars and taunting the newspaper by describing the details
of their deaths. Violence and strong language. Bestseller. 2005.

Saving Fish from Drowning RC 61495
by Amy Tan
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
Chinese American art expert Bibi Chen organizes a trip to Burma for her friends.
Although Bibi dies beforehand, the group continues with its plans. Bibi watches
from the spirit world as the tourists are kidnapped by a native tribe that
claims one of them as their savior. Bestseller. 2005.

In a Wild Wood: Wild Series, Book 2 RC 61499
by Sasha Lord
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Matalia McTaver, daughter of Ronin and Kalial, is an independent woman determined
to experience the pleasures of the flesh. After a chance encounter, she marries
Brogan O'Bannon, who intends to claim the Kirkcaldy fortune. Only his twin
brother stands in the way. Explicit descriptions of sex and some violence.
2004.

Forest of the Pygmies RC 61502
by Isabel Allende
read by Gabriella Cavallero
2 cassettes
Alexander and his grandmother Kate Cold go on an elephant-led safari in Africa
with Nadia Santos and an International Geographic team. A rescue mission in
the Pygmies' territory reveals slavery and poaching. Sequel to Kingdom of the
Golden Dragon (RC 61217). For junior and senior high readers. 2005.

Raven's Gate: The Gatekeepers, Book 1 RC 61504
by Anthony Horowitz
read by Erik Sandvold
2 cassettes
To avoid jail, fourteen-year-old Matt enters a foster program in a remote Yorkshire
village. Matt uncovers an evil plot involving witchcraft and finds his destiny
inextricably intertwined with the site of an ancient stone circle, Raven's
Gate. Some violence. For junior and senior high readers. 2005.

Marriage Bait RC 61510
by Eva Rutland
read by Jill Ferris
1 cassette
Insurance firm vice president in charge of operations Scot Harding wants to
replace his administrative assistant and offers the job to secretary Lisa Wilson.
Initially Lisa refuses, concerned the new position would detract from her quest
for a husband. When Lisa finally accepts, Scot can't resist her lure. 1997.

Birds of a Feather RC 61520
by Victor Canning
read by Jim Zeiger
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Sir Anthony Swale, wealthy master of a grand seaside estate and collector of
rare masterpieces, is also a spy for the Soviets. While Swale is preoccupied
with capturing wild falcons, aging British agents Sir John Warboys and Sir
Richard Quint enlist veteran gunman Alfie Grey to exterminate Swale. Some descriptions
of sex. 1985.

The Siren Queen: An Ursula Blanchard Mystery RC 61524
by Fiona Buckley
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
England, 1569. While visiting the Duke of Norfolk to interview potential husbands
for her young daughter Meg, Ursula Blanchard uncovers suspicious correspondence
between the duke and Mary Stuart of Scotland. Then two murders occur. 2004.

Do They Wear High Heels in Heaven? RC 61525
by Erica Orloff
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
1 cassette
Lily Waters, a forty-year-old, divorced New York newspaper columnist is diagnosed
with stage-four breast cancer. Contemplating death, Lily arranges for her gay
friend Michael to adopt her two teenage children. She also helps Michael find
a loving partner. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some
violence. 2005.

Marriage Most Scandalous RC 61539
by Johanna Lindsey
read by Gabriella Cavallero
2 cassettes
Sebastian Townshend, disowned by his family, left England after he unintentionally
killed his best friend in a duel. When childhood neighbor Margaret Landor discovers
that Sebastian is working as a mercenary in France, she begs him to return
to England to save his father's life. Some descriptions of sex. 2005.

It Sleeps in Me RC 61541
by Kathleen O'Neal Gear
read by Gabriella Cavallero
2 cassettes
Sora, high chieftess of the Black Falcon Nation, learns from war chief Skinner
that her ex-husband, Flint, is dead and that his shadow-soul lives within Skinner.
Meanwhile a rival clan requests warriors to defend a jade quarry, but Sora
suspects a conspiracy. Explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 2005.

Cape Perdido RC 61542
by Marcia Muller
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
New York environmental consultant Jessie Domingo travels to a California lumber
town where activist Joseph Openshaw fights to stop a greedy corporation from
draining the Perdido River. The conflict escalates as arson, a sniper, and
a woman's disappearance become linked to a decades-old murder. Strong language
and some violence. 2005.

The Heartbreaker RC 61557
by Carly Phillips
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Chase Chandler, from The Bachelor (RC 54933) and The Playboy (RC 58881), runs
the family newspaper in Yorkshire Falls, New York, after his father's death.
When Sloane Carlisle comes to town after uncovering a family secret, the two
fall in love. Explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2003.

The Moth RC 61560
by Catherine Cookson
read by Gabriella Cavallero
2 cassettes (Reissue)
England, 1913. When a violent argument forces Robert Bradley to quit his uncle's
carpentry business, he finds work at the estate of young Agnes Thorman. Agnes
manages her family's crumbling finances and cares for her eccentric younger
sister, Millie. Defying social conventions, Agnes and Robert fall in love.
1986.

Red Lily: In the Garden, Book 3 RC 61562
by Nora Roberts
read by Faith Potts
2 cassettes
The ghost of Harper House is still causing problems for friends and coworkers
Rosalind, Stella, and especially new mother Hayley. But Hayley, the latest
target of the apparition's jealousy, finds herself falling in love. Sequel
to Black Rose (RC 60606). Strong language and some explicit descriptions of
sex. Bestseller. 2005.

Holly RC 61564
by Jude Deveraux
read by Michele Schaeffer
1 cassette
Holly Latham, a restoration architect, has persuaded her parents to purchase
a North Carolina plantation she once visited. She hopes to restore Belle Chere,
a nearby estate, and marry its owner. But during the summer Holly finds herself
drawn to the gardener. Some explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2003.

Hangman's Curse: The Veritas Project, Book 1 RC 61565
by Frank Peretti
read by Robert Sams
2 cassettes
Star athletes at Baker High are rendered insane by an alleged curse of the
school's ghosts. Sixteen-year-old twins Elijah and Elisha Springfield and their
parents, undercover investigators with the secret Veritas Project, seek to
learn the truth. They trust in God for help. For junior and senior high readers.
2001.

The Sign of the Book: A Cliff Janeway Mystery RC 61567
by John Dunning
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Denver book dealer Cliff Janeway goes to a small Colorado town to help his
lover, attorney Erin D'Angelo, defend Erin's estranged friend Laura Marshall,
who stands accused of killing her husband. Cliff discovers the victim's unusual
book collection and suspects that Laura is hiding the truth. Strong language.
2005.

Looking for Peyton Place RC 61610
by Barbara Delinsky
read by Madelyn Buzzard
3 cassettes
Thirty-three-year old novelist Annie Barnes returns to her hometown in New
Hampshire after her mother mysteriously dies. The locals fear that Annie will
denigrate their town, which was the basis for Peyton Place (RC 51035). Instead
Annie discovers environmental pollution and falls in love. 2005.

Death in a Strange Country: A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery RC 61683
by Donna Leon
read by Peter Ganim
3 cassettes
Venetian Commissario Guido Brunetti investigates the murder of Mike Foster,
a nearby American military base's public health officer, found floating in
toxic water. Later Foster's boss is also killed. Brunetti suspects an environmental
cover-up that eventually extends beyond the U.S. military to the Italian government—and
even to Brunetti's own father-in-law. 1993.

Maigret's Rival: An Inspector Maigret Mystery RC 61684
by Georges Simenon
read by Gordon Gould
1 cassette
Inspector Maigret travels unofficially to a distant village to help a friend's
brother-in-law, who is involved in a scandal. It seems Etienne Naud is accused
of causing the death of his unmarried daughter's lover. Maigret also spots
a former colleague on the train. 1944.

Mortal Causes: A John Rebus Mystery RC 61688
by Ian Rankin
read by Graeme Malcolm
2 cassettes
Edinburgh. Inspector John Rebus investigates the case of a gangster's son found
murdered in a medieval cellar, an apparent victim of a Northern Ireland-style
punishment. Rebus heads to Belfast and uncovers possible connections to drugs,
gun trafficking, the IRA, and loyalist paramilitary groups. Violence and strong
language. 1994.

Genevieve RC 61691
by Eric Jerome Dickey
read by Bill Quinn
2 cassettes
An unnamed African American medical research analyst and his wife, Genevieve
Forbes, travel to Alabama for the funeral of Genevieve's grandmother. There
the husband begins a torrid affair with Kenya, his wife's sister—or so he believes—that
reveals shocking family truths. Explicit descriptions of sex and strong language.
2005.

The Ranger and Other Stories RC 61692
by Zane Grey
read by Richard Davidson
2 cassettes
Four westerns. In "The Ranger," a man risks his life to rescue the
woman he loves. In "Canyon Walls," a fugitive seeks sanctuary with
Mormons. In "Avalanche," a beautiful woman comes between two brothers,
and in "From Missouri," a schoolteacher travels west to meet her
unknown correspondent. 1960.

Double Sin and Other Stories: A Hercule Poirot Mystery RC 61693
by Agatha Christie
read by Terry Donnelly
2 cassettes
Eight eerie short mysteries featuring Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple.
In "The Dressmaker's Doll," a toy adopts some rather human—and
sinister—traits. In "Sanctuary," a dying man's last word becomes a
clue to a crime. Also includes "Wasps' Nest," "The Last Séance," "Greenshaw's
Folly," the title piece, and others. 1925.

Posse from Hell RC 61694
by Clair Huffaker
read by Richard Davidson
1 cassette
1881. After causing death and destruction in the town of Paradise, a gang of
four hardened criminals take a female hostage. Young marshal Banner Cole can
organize a posse of only seven men, but he is determined to pursue the outlaws
anyway. Violence and strong language. 1958.

The Miracle RC 61715
by John L'Heureux
read by Jonathan Davis
2 cassettes
Early 1970s. Young, vibrant, liberal Father LeBlanc is well liked by his Boston
parishioners but not by his superiors. Transferred to a small New Hampshire
parish to assist an ailing priest, LeBlanc questions his faith after witnessing
a miracle and committing mortal sin. Some descriptions of sex and some strong
language. 2002.

Strange Affair: An Inspector Alan Banks Mystery RC 61722
by Peter Robinson
read by George Holmes
3 cassettes
Detective Annie Cabbot investigates the case of a young woman found shot to
death in a car. The crime scene yields a note bearing Inspector Alan Banks's
name and address. Meanwhile an urgent message sends Alan to London to find
his estranged brother. Some violence and some strong language. 2005.

I Say a Little Prayer RC 61729
by E. Lynn Harris
read by Mirron E. Willis
2 cassettes
Former musician Chauncey Greer quit performing during his teenage years when
his bisexuality was exposed. Now, almost forty, he returns to church and is
inspired to revive his career. When a fundamentalist preacher plans to speak
out against homosexuality, Chauncey takes a stand—and a special friend returns.
Explicit descriptions of sex, strong language, and some violence. 2006.

Killer Dreams RC 61730
by Iris Johansen
read by Jennifer Van Dyck
2 cassettes
Dream therapist Sophie Dunston and her ten-year-old son are being stalked by
a killer who has already attacked her once. Former hit man Jock Gavin employs
the unpredictable Matt Royd to protect Sophie and her boy, but the nightmare
continues. Descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. 2006.

The Man of My Dreams RC 61731
by Curtis Sittenfeld
read by Susan Denaker
2 cassettes
Fourteen-year-old Hannah Gavener's controlling father ends his marriage, breaking
up his family and sending his passive daughter to live with her aunt in Pittsburgh.
Throughout high school and college Hannah searches for security and romance,
undergoes therapy, and pursues a cousin's cast-off boyfriend. 2006.

The Death of Achilles: An Erast Fandorin Mystery RC 61733
by Boris Akunin
read by Paul Michael
3 cassettes
Russia, 1882. Diplomat Erast Fandorin returns to Moscow after six years of
travels and adventures abroad. When his friend General Michel "Achilles" Sobolev
dies of an apparent heart attack, Erast begins an investigation that leads
him to a singer named Wanda. Descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language.
1998.

The Faithful Spy RC 61737
by Alex Berenson
read by Robertson Dean
3 cassettes
CIA agent John Wells, long undercover in Afghanistan and Pakistan, is suspected
by his handlers of defecting to the other side. Furthermore, Wells began to
believe in the tenets of Islam while he lived beside the jihadis. 2006.

All Night Long RC 61763
by Jayne Ann Krentz
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
An e-mail from old friend Pamela Webb summons reporter Irene Stenson to the
California town where her parents died seventeen years ago in a murder-suicide.
But she finds Pamela dead. Ex-marine Luke Danner helps Irene discover what
happened to Pamela and to Irene's parents. Some explicit descriptions of sex.
Bestseller. 2005.

Memory in Death: An Eve Dallas Mystery RC 61764
by J.D. Robb
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Lieutenant Eve Dallas's abusive former foster mother, Trudy Lombard, shows
up in Eve's office at Christmas- time 2059 and then tries to blackmail Eve's
husband, Roarke. When Trudy is later murdered, Eve and Roarke set out to prove
their innocence. Explicit descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language.
2006.

Gilt by Association: A Den of Antiquity Mystery RC 61769
by Tamar Myers
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
After her divorce, Abigail Timberlake opens an antiques store in Charlotte,
North Carolina. When a French armoire arrives with a body in it, the shop becomes
a crime scene. Abigail investigates on her own so that she can reopen the business
as soon as possible. Some strong language. 1996.

Across a Wild Sea: Wild Series, Book 3 RC 61770
by Sasha Lord
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Blind, beautiful, perceptive Alannah grew up on an isolated island among her
beloved horses after she was left to drift out to sea as an infant. But when
a storm casts ashore ruthless Scottish sea captain Xanthier O'Bannon, Alannah's
entire world changes. Explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 2005.

Dreamland Lake RC 61790
by Richard Peck
read by Erik Sandvold
1 cassette (Reissue)
Teenagers Flip and Brian, best friends, find a dead body while exploring the
abandoned Dreamland Lake amusement park. The police believe the corpse was
a vagrant who died of natural causes, but the boys suspect otherwise and investigate,
changing their lives forever. For junior and senior high readers. 1973.

Bag Limit: A Posadas County Mystery RC 61792
by Steven F. Havill
read by Jim Zeiger
3 cassettes
Three days before New Mexico sheriff Bill Gastner's retirement date, a carload
of teenagers hits his police vehicle. The nineteen-year-old drunk driver, Matt
Baca, tries to escape custody and is accidentally killed. When Matt's father
dies suddenly, Gastner suspects a cover-up. Strong language and some violence.
2001.

The Ming and I: A Den of Antiquity Mystery RC 61801
by Tamar Myers
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Charlotte, North Carolina. Den of Antiquity owner Abigail Timberlake refuses
to buy an old vase from June Troyan. Shortly thereafter, June dies in a hit-and-run
accident. Greg Washburn investigates June's murder and the subsequent disappearance
of what proves to be a valuable Ming vase. Some strong language. 1997.

Robbers' Roost RC 61810
by Zane Grey
read by Jim Zeiger
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Utah, 1870s. A battle takes place between rival outlaw gangs at Robbers' Roost,
a canyon hideout in no-man's-land. The only survivors of the shootout are
one man, an Englishwoman—and a fortune in cash. 1932.

The Deception: The Baron Novels, Book 3 RC 61818
by Catherine Coulter
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
England, 1815. Posing as a widow, half-French Evangeline de Beauchamps visits
her late cousin's husband, Richard Chesleigh, duke of Portsmouth. Richard appoints
Evangeline his son's nanny, unaware that she is being forced to perform a traitorous
mission by Napoleon's agents. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong
language. 1998.

Curtains for Three: A Nero Wolfe Mystery RC 61820
by Rex Stout
read by Jim Zeiger
2 cassettes
A trio of short mysteries featuring orchid-growing New York private detective
Nero Wolfe and his assistant, Archie Goodwin. Cases involve lovers out to make
sure the other isn't a killer, a horseman shot from his saddle, and a frightened
female flimflam artist claiming she spied a murderer. 1994 introduction. 1948.

The Last Dark Place: An Abe Lieberman Mystery RC 61856
by Stuart M. Kaminsky
read by Richard Davidson
2 cassettes
An assassin is killed in an Arizona airport while handcuffed to policeman Abe
Lieberman, who is extraditing him to Chicago. Later, back home, Abe joins partner
Bill Hanrahan in investigating a series of rapes and in defusing a potential
gang war. Strong language and some violence. 2004.

Avalon High RC 61870
by Meg Cabot
read by Catherine Byers
2 cassettes
High school junior Ellie moves to Annapolis, Maryland, with her professor parents
who specialize in medieval history. At Avalon High, where several students
may be reincarnations of King Arthur and his court, Ellie falls in love. For
senior high readers. 2006.

Inexcusable RC 61879
by Chris Lynch
read by Nick Sullivan
1 cassette
High school senior and football star Keir believes he's a "good guy" who
can do no wrong. When his behavior spins out of control, escalating into date
rape on graduation night, Keir is forced to assess his morals. Some strong
language. For senior high readers. National Book Award Finalist. 2005.

Where Is Janice Gantry? RC 62288
by John D. MacDonald
read by Robert Sams
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Sam Brice, a divorced automobile appraiser for a Florida Keys insurance company,
aids escaped convict Charles Haywood, inadvertently leading to the disappearance
of Sam's ex-lover, Janice Gantry. Police believe Charles abducted Janice, but
Sam—himself a suspect—investigates on his own. Descriptions of sex and some
strong language. 1961.

Books for Children

Cassettes Nonfiction

Clay RC 59234
read by Laura Giannarelli
1 cassette
Step-by-step instructions for using different types of clay and acrylic paints
to create original craft projects. Items include a candleholder, a mobile,
a puppet, a handprint tile, and a mug. For grades 3-6. 2004.

I Fall Down RC 59450
by Vicki Cobb
read by Russ Weinstein
1 cassette
Simple experiments using common household objects introduce the basic concept
of gravity and its relationship to weight. For grades K-3. 2004.

A Kid's Guide to Staying Safe around Water RC 60055
by Maribeth Boelts
read by Miriam Wagner
1 cassette
Discusses safety tips for swimming in a pool, lake, or ocean. Covers swimming
lessons, lifeguards, the buddy system, life jackets, and the importance of
knowing water conditions, among other things. For grades K-3. 1997.

The Groundhog Day Book of Facts and Fun RC 60059
by Wendie Old
read by Rick Wiseman
1 cassette
Describes the Pennsylvania origins of the February 2 tradition of using a groundhog's
shadow to forecast winter's end. Factual chapters discuss the "Reason
for Seasons" and groundhog behavior. Includes riddles and directions for
planning a Groundhog Day party. For grades 3-6. 2004.

Daniel Boone RC 60235
by James Daugherty
read by Erik Synnestvedt
1 cassette (Reissue)
Biography of the legendary frontiersman born in 1734. Describes the call of
the West that led Daniel Boone to Kentucky and eventually to Missouri. Discusses
his enjoyment of the wilderness, the company of Indians, and pioneering experiences.
For grades 4-7 and older readers. Newbery Medal. 1939.

Empire of Alexander the Great RC 61282
by Debra Skelton and Pamela Dell
read by Annie Wauters
1 cassette
Presents a military biography of the charismatic commander Alexander the Great
(356-323 B.C.E.), who died at age thirty-two. Discusses ways his empire spread
Greek culture and social values throughout the Middle East and Europe, initiated
world trade, and encouraged intellectual exchange. For grades 6-9. 2005.

Bites and Stings RC 61294
by Alvin Silverstein,
read by Christopher Walker
1 cassette
Discusses irritations and injuries from mosquitoes, ticks, bees, snakes, and
other sources in the outdoors—as well as pet dogs, cats, and hamsters. Covers
the body's reactions to bites and stings and ways to treat them. Gives tips
on awareness and prevention. For grades 3-6. 2001.

The Prairie Builders: Reconstructing America's Lost Grasslands RC 61298
by Sneed B. Collard III read by Margaret Strom
1 cassette
Discusses the 1989 creation of a national wildlife refuge in Iowa. Describes
the restoration of the native tallgrass prairie that supported elk, deer, pronghorns,
bison, wolves, grizzly bears, and birds before Europeans arrived in the 1800s.
Explains the project's importance and the progress made since 1989. For grades
4-7. 2005.

Bill Nye the Science Guy's Great Big Book of Tiny Germs RC 61307
by Bill Nye and Kathleen W. Zoehfeld
read by Michael Russotto
1 cassette
Scientist from television show explains bacteria, viruses, germs, immune systems,
vaccinations, and epidemics. Provides twelve step-by-step experiments that
use common household materials to demonstrate the scientific facts discussed
in each chapter. For grades 3-6. 2005.

Ten Thousand Days of Thunder: A History of the Vietnam War RC 61583
by Philip Caputo
read by Ted Stoddard
1 cassette
Overview of the Vietnam conflict by the Pulitzer Prize-winning former soldier.
Presents background information on communism and U.S. involvement in Vietnam.
Discusses the war's chief participants and key battles and chronicles the changing
political and social climate of 1960s and 1970s America. For grades 6-9 and
older readers. 2005.

Kids' Easy-to-Create Wildlife Habitats for Small Spaces in the City, Suburbs,
and Countryside RC 61618
by Emily Stetson
read by Jill Fox
1 cassette
Encourages children to explore the natural world by providing animals, birds,
and insects with food, shelter, and water. Introduces projects with environmental
lessons. Provides supply lists and clear instructions for activities like preparing
a feast for butterflies and making a compost pile. For grades 3-6. 2004.

Coping with Asperger Syndrome RC 61786
by Maxine Rosaler
read by Jake Williams
1 cassette
Overview of a neurological disorder related to autism that affects social behavior.
Discusses characteristics and management of the condition as well as theories
concerning its causes. For grades 6-9. 2004.

ER Vets: Life in an Animal Emergency Room RC 61876
by Donna M. Jackson
read by L.J. Ganser
1 cassette
Discusses veterinary medicine by examining the workings of an emergency room
at an animal hospital. Describes pets and owners who come for care and the
doctors and vet techs who attend them. Provides tips on pet first aid and a
section on grief counseling. For grades 5-8. 2005.

How Basketball Works RC 61888
by Keltie Thomas
read by L.J. Ganser
1 cassette
Guide to the origin and history of basketball. Covers equipment, positions,
training, stats, and rules. Offers tips, such as how to make a jump shot, and
facts, such as changes in shoe design since 1903. Includes anecdotes about
Michael Jordan, Sheryl Swoopes, and other legendary players. For grades 5-8.
2005.

Cassettes Fiction

Peril in the Bessledorf Parachute Factory: A Bessledorf
Hotel Mystery RC 59433
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
read by Richard Magesis
1 cassette
Bernie attempts to marry off his older sister Delores so that he can have her
bedroom. But his scheming produces a near disaster at the Bessledorf Parachute
Factory, where Delores works. For grades 4-7. 1999.

Ghost Light on Graveyard Shoal: American Girl History Mysteries RC 59437
by Elizabeth McDavid Jones
read by Miriam Wagner
1 cassette
Glenn Island, Virginia; 1895. Twelve-year-old Rhoda's father operates a U.S.
Lifesaving Station where he risks his life to save people from shipwrecks.
Rhoda becomes suspicious that someone is luring boats into treacherous waters
in order to salvage their bounty, and she searches for the culprit. For grades
4-7. 2003.

Bernie Magruder and the Disappearing Bodies: A Bessledorf Hotel Mystery RC
59438
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
read by Grace Ragsdale
1 cassette
Bernie's father may lose his job as manager of the Bessledorf Hotel because
of dead bodies that mysteriously appear and disappear. Bernie and his friends
investigate the problem. For grades 4-7. 1986.

The Journal of Otto Peltonen: A Finnish Immigrant RC 59442
by William Durbin
read by Dave Corey
1 cassette
Fifteen-year-old Otto records in a diary his 1905 journey in steerage with
his mother and sisters from Finland to America. He joins his father working
in a dreary Minnesota iron mining community and becomes involved in a union
fight for better working conditions. For grades 5-8. 2000.

Winter of the Ice Wizard: Magic Tree House, Book 32 RC 59444
by Mary Pope Osborne
read by Gillian Green
1 cassette
Jack and Annie travel with Teddy and Kathleen to the snowy Land-behind-the-Clouds
to retrieve Merlin's Staff of Strength. But the Ice Wizard has already captured
Merlin and Morgan and possesses the staff. The Wizard will only exchange them
for his missing eye. For grades 2-4. 2004.

The Mystery at Skeleton Point: A Boxcar Children Mystery RC 59445
by Gertrude Chandler Warner
read by Graci Ragsdale
1 cassette
Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny help a relative clean out an old house where
the previous owner, a doctor, had collected skeletons. When valuable statues
disappear, the children learn of a local myth about a walking skeleton, and
they decide to investigate. For grades 3-6. 2002.

The Journal of Patrick Seamus Flaherty: United States Marine Corps RC 59448
by Ellen Emerson White
read by Neil Berman
1 cassette
In his journal eighteen-year-old marine enlistee Patrick Flaherty of Boston
records his 1967 arrival in Vietnam, the war's brutal conditions, and his participation
in the siege of Khe Sanh. For grades 5-8. 2002.

The Sea of Trolls RC 59623
by Nancy Farmer
read by Erik Synnestvedt
3 cassettes
After Jack becomes apprenticed to a Druid bard, he and his little sister Lucy
are captured by Viking Berserkers. To appease a half-troll queen and save his
sister, Jack journeys deep into enemy territory and encounters troll-bears,
giant spiders, and dragons. For grades 5-8. 2004.

The Midnight Mystery: A Boxcar Children Mystery RC 59689
by Gertrude Chandler Warner
read by Graci Ragsdale
1 cassette
At midnight while the Alden children stay at the old home of a famous artist
known for her one-of-a-kind clocks, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny hear a
mysterious tapping sound along with the regular chimes and decide to investigate.
For grades 3-6. 2003.

The Grim Grotto: A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 11 RC 59697
by Lemony Snicket
read by Laura Giannarelli
1 cassette
In this sequel to The Slippery Slope (RC 56930), the Baudelaire orphans' adventures
include travel by submarine to an underwater cave in search of a particular
sugar bowl sought by the evil Count Olaf. For grades 4-7. 2004.

The Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Treasury RC 59857
by Betty MacDonald
read by Susan McInerney
2 cassettes
Three books about the unusual Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, who lives in an upside-down
house in a town where she is every child's friend. She makes chores fun and
solves many family problems. Contains "Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle," "Mrs.
Piggle-Wiggle's Magic," and "Hello, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle." For
grades 3-6. 1947.

The Wrath of Mulgarath: The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 5 RC 60022
by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
read by Kimberly Schraf
1 cassette
Following The Ironwood Tree (RC 59233), Jared, Simon, and Mallory arrive home
to find the house ransacked and Mom missing. Simon's griffin, Byron, catches
a hobgoblin, Hogsqueal, who tells them that Mulgarath and his goblins abducted
their mother. For grades 2-4. 2004.

The Witch of Clatteringshaws: The Wolves Chronicles RC 60050
by Joan Aiken
read by Jennifer Mendenhall
1 cassette
Dido travels to Scotland to relieve reluctant Simon from the burden of being
King of England by seeking another heir to the throne. Her friend Piers and
Father Sam's cousin Malise, the Witch of Clatteringshaws, help Dido. For grades
5-8. 2005.

Becoming Naomi León RC 60266
by Pam Muñoz Ryan
read by MaryBeth Wise
1 cassette
For seven years Naomi and brother Owen lived happily with Gram in her trailer.
Gram arranged Owen's surgeries for his physical disabilities and helped Naomi
begin to speak again. When their mother reappears, Gram takes the children
to Mexico to find their father and their heritage. For grades 4-7. Schneider
Family Award. 2004.

Willow Run RC 60749
by Patricia Reilly Giff
read by Laura Giannarelli
1 cassette
During World War II, eleven-year-old Meggie moves with her parents to Willow
Run, Michigan, where her father has a job in the B-24 bomber factory. Meggie
learns about various kinds of bravery from the many people there. Companion
to Lily's Crossing (RC 45659). For grades 5-8. 2005.

Flush RC 60792
by Carl Hiaasen
read by Erik Sandvold
2 cassettes
The Florida Keys. With their father jailed for sinking a gambling boat, Noah
Underwood and his sister Abbey gather evidence that casino owner Dusty Muleman
is illegally emptying sewage tanks into coastal waters. They receive help from
a former card dealer, a pirate, and Dusty's ex-girlfriend. For grades 5-8.
2005.

Shackleton's Stowaway RC 61101
by Victoria McKernan
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
A fictionalized account of the adventures of eighteen-year-old Perce Blackborow,
who stowed away on the 1914 Shackleton Antarctic expedition. After their ship
Endurance is crushed by ice, Blackborow survives many hardships including frostbite
during the nearly two-year return journey across ice and sea. For grades 5-8.
2005.

The Black Jacket Mystery: A Trixie Belden Mystery RC 61508
by Kathryn Kenny
read by Jill Ferris
1 cassette
Trixie is active in organizing an ice carnival to raise funds for her Mexican
pen pal's school library. But when a series of thefts and accidents occur in
her neighborhood and a mysterious problem faces local horse groom Bill Regan,
Trixie investigates. For grades 4-7. 1961.

The Whistle, the Grave, and the Ghost RC 61518
by Brad Strickland
read by Erik Sandvold
1 cassette
On a Boy Scout campout in the Michigan woods, Lewis Barnavelt discovers a grave
and a whistle that draws him, his friend Rose Rita Pottinger, and his uncle
Jonathan into a battle with evil. Sequel to The Tower at the End of the World
(RC 57295). For grades 5-8. 2003.

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting
Boy RC 61553
by Jeanne Birdsall
read by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
A widowed father takes his four daughters, aged four through twelve, and the
family dog on a three-week vacation at a Berkshire Mountain estate cottage.
The girls make friends with the owner's son, much to his snobbish mother's
dismay. For grades 4-7. National Book Award. 2005.

The Specter from the Magician's Museum: A Lewis Barnavelt Mystery RC 61554
by Brad Strickland
read by Erik Sandvold
1 cassette
New Zebedee, Michigan; 1950s. Lewis Barnavelt and his friend Rose Rita Pottinger
decide to perform a magic act for the school talent show. While researching
in a magician's museum, Rose Rita becomes ensnared by an evil spell and it's
up to Lewis to free her. For grades 4-7. 1998.

Far Traveler RC 61686
by Rebecca Tingle
read by Lisette Lecat
2 cassettes
After the death of her mother, Aethelflaed of Mercia, sixteen-year-old Aelfwyn
flees from her uncle King Edward's control. Disguised as a boy, she travels
the countryside as a bard until a fateful decision is pressed upon her. Sequel
to The Edge on the Sword (RC 53994). For grades 6-9. 2005.

Heat Wave: Left Behind—The Kids, Book 37 RC
61768
by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye
read by Jim Zeiger
1 cassette
As the six-year mark of the Tribulation approaches, a heat wave devastates
the world. Reunited in Wisconsin, Judd and Vicki grow closer while working
together. Then Judd becomes stranded in New Babylon, far from Vicki. Sequel
to Ominous Choices (RC 58481). For grades 5-8. 2004.

The Perils of Love: Left Behind-The Kids, Book 38 RC 61822
by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye
read by Jim Zeiger
1 cassette
After the Heat Wave (RC 61768), darkness falls on New Babylon, causing suicides.
Vicki and Lionel fly to Petra, where Judd joins them and they watch Chloe's
statement of faith and televised execution. The Kids celebrate new beginnings
with Judd and Vicki's marriage. For grades 5-8. 2004.

Kailey: An American Girl Today RC 61878
by Amy Goldman Koss
read by Gabra Zackman
1 cassette
Ten-year-old Kailey and her best pal, Tess, love to ride on bodyboards in a
California cove and observe tidal pool creatures. When a developer posts signs
for an oceanfront complex, Kailey needs to act fast to save the natural coast
from becoming a boat marina. For grades 3-6. 2003.

The Road to War: Left Behind-The Kids, Book 39 RC 61942
by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye
read by Jim Zeiger
1 cassette
In Wisconsin, Mark is captured by Global Community members and speaks about
God before facing the guillotine. His death saddens the Young Tribulation Force,
which is immersed in preparations for the Battle of Armageddon. Sequel to The
Perils of Love (RC 61822). For grades 5-8. 2004.

Triumphant Return: Left Behind-The Kids, Book 40 RC 61977
by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye
read by Jim Zeiger
1 cassette
While Nicolae Carpathia expects the defeat of the rebels against the Global
Community, Judd, Vicki, Lionel, and the rest of the Young Trib Force await
the Glorious Appearing—the return of Jesus Christ. Sequel to The
Road to War (RC 61942). For grades 5-8. 2004.